Sohel, Matin lead local charge
Shakhawat Hossain Sohel and Abdul Matin led the local charge on the second day of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open with a share of the tenth position at six-under-par (136) yesterday. 31-year-old Sohel, who had finished as the best Bangladeshi performer in the inaugural edition of this Asian Tour event last year, carded five birdies while going bogey-free at the Kurmitola Golf Club yesterday to lift himself up from his overnight 38th position. Matin, on the other hand, continued his surprise run with yet another three-under-par to stay at tenth, alongside Sohel.
However, despite the excellent feat, both Sohel and Matin were five shots behind surprise leader, Thitiphun Chuayprakong of Thailand, who followed up his 65 on the first day with a 66 yesterday.
Bangladesh's Jamal Hossain Mollah, who started the day with a three-under-par, traded four birdies for two bogeys and finished with five-under-par (137) and a share of the 16th position, while Siddikur Rahman moved up to 14th with an aggregate of three-under-par (139). Only five golfers from Bangladesh -- one less than last year -- made the cut, which was set at two-over-par (144).
Sohel, who holds the course record (19-under) which he had set during a 72-par amateur tournament a few years ago, said he was quite happy with his overall game.
"My ball striking was very good today. I hit lots of fairways and greens. I missed a lot of putts from six to seven feet. If I had made them, I could have easily been 10-under-par now. But overall, it's still a good round and I am very happy," Sohel told The Daily Star.
The former Bangladesh Open champion said he was just looking to keep himself grounded and looking for a positive outcome.
"I just want to stay cool and positive and continue to believe in myself for the next two rounds. This is my home course. The greens are very small here. Hitting it onto the greens has got to be the priority," Sohel added.
Matin, meanwhile, admitted that he exceeded his own expectations. "I didn't really expect this because I missed the cut the last time around. But the course is pretty good this time and the weather is fine which is what made it easier for me I guess," the 45-year-old said after the day's play. "Since I sort of exceeded my expectations, I won't be feeling any pressure over the next two rounds so I can enjoy my game."
The reaction from Chuayprakong, the current leader, was somewhat similar to Matin's since he, too, did not expect to grab the clubhouse lead after having missed the cut here last year and having gone through a lean patch since.
"My game wasn't good last year as I needed to change few things. Last year I missed the cut here as well, but hopefully things are changing for the better this year. I'm enjoying the conditions here and look forward to continuing the good form over the next two days," said the 23-year-old, who is yet to win an Asian Tour event in his seven-year professional career.
Last edition's joint runner-up Soomin Lee of Korea held on to second position at nine-under-par (133) while five golfers were a stroke further back, occupying the third position.
Comments