Siddikur starts steadily

Siddikur Rahman finished level on seventh place alongside two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen, and ahead of Robert Allenby in the PGA Tour-sanctioned CIMB Asia Pacific Classic in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Bangladesh’s first and only professional golfer hit three birdies and a single bogey in his first round effort, scoring 69 and ending with two under par. Apart from the South African Goosen, Siddikur finished on level terms with Lam Chih-Bing (Singapore), Tom Gillis (US), Kevin Streelman (US) and Adam Scott (Australia).
Amazingly, Siddikur finished above some top golfers of the PGA Tour including World no 47 Mark Leishman and Ryan Palmer, who has garnered nine million dollars in prize money so far.
On top of the leaderboard, Ricky Barnes fired eight birdies in a flawless 63 to lead by a stroke from fellow American Ryan Moore.
The Californian coped best in the searing heat at the PGA Tour’s inaugural event in Southeast Asia, rolling in putt after putt on an impeccable course Mines Resort and Golf Club.
The six million dollar event features only the leading 25 golfers from the PGA Tour’s FedExCup standings along with the top 10 players from the Asian Tour.
“I hit a lot of fairways and greens. In fact, I only missed my first green on hole 18,” Barnes told AFP. He played in Malaysia in 2002 as an amateur at the Eisenhower Cup.
“I made it a very stress-free round on myself by putting from about 20 to 25 feet. I played really well. Hopefully I can keep the week going. It felt kind of hot after nine holes, but I was prepared for the weather.
“I drank a lot of water before I went out and that helped keep up the energy levels.”
Barnes, whose best finish this year was third at the Memorial tournament in Ohio in June, is gunning for his maiden PGA Tour win.
Meanwhile, Thai veteran Thongchai Jaidee, compatriot Parija Junhasavasdikul and Singapore’s Mardan Mamat proved Asia’s mettle against the quality field by hitting credible 66s to be three off the pace.
Scotland’s Martin Laird matched their score, maintaining his good form after being beaten to the Shriners Hospital Open title on Sunday when Jonathan Byrd fired a hole-in-one at the fourth play-off hole.
Coming off an encouraging win in Bermuda last week, Ernie Els is lurking dangerously after carding a 67, recovering from a bogey on the first hole to stay in the hunt.
Fellow South African Tim Clark and England’s world number eight Luke Donald also hit 67s.
The bearded Moore, who has had six top-10 finishes in 24 starts this season, stroked a majestic 64, hardly putting a foot wrong as he sunk seven birdies in his last tournament of the year.
“I feel good after a seven-under-par anywhere, anytime, especially on a course I have not played before,” said Moore, who admitted he began to flag from the heat over the final few holes.
“I could really feel it the last couple of holes, the heat was zapping my energy. But it’s my last tournament of the year and my last chance to win in 2010, so I want victory here.”
The small field means there will be no halfway cut and the up-and-coming Parija, who made his breakthrough with a recent maiden Asian Tour victory in Taiwan, said he was making the most of the experience.
“I played with Ryan Palmer today and he won a PGA Tour event this year and finished top-10 last week. I set my goal this week for an experience and that’s what I got,” he said.
“I’ll let my skill do the talking. These guys are my idols. I’m still in the small league and they are in the big league. I hope I can step up soon.”
It was more of a learning curve for another Thai, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who ended the day in joint last place with American J.B Holmes on 73. – The Daily Star