Wiser, stronger and hungrier

The old clubhouse at the Kurmitola Golf Club is no more. The old-fashioned two-storied building which oversaw the nascent steps of golf in Bangladesh has been bulldozed. A new clubhouse -- much bigger in size and more modernised -- is taking its place. It was perhaps a need of the hour as Bangladesh golf has taken giant strides in the international arena in recent years, thanks to a certain Siddikur Rahman.
The once ball-boy of this club sits proudly in the lobby of the new clubhouse and is understandably at the centre of attention of the valued club members, who watched him grow from carrying their bags to carrying the national flag.
“Well done Siddikur. Where is your next event?” says an elderly member of the club. “Wherever it is, just let me know. I and a couple of the others from here will go there, just to support you.”
Such is the adoration that Siddikur receives these days, at home and abroad.
The 29-year-old has just returned from a hectic season of the Asian Tour, which saw him win his second tour title and make a maiden World Cup appearance. The achievements are huge, but the emotions are perhaps even bigger for the golfer.
“The World Cup was a special experience for me. It was played at one of the five best golf courses in the world,” says Siddikur.
“Many golfers congratulated me for winning the Indian Open. Even the greenkeepers and caddies recognised me which was very rewarding.”
Siddikur's performance in Melbourne, on such an unfamiliar and tricky course, was nothing to write home about, but he did pull out a trick out of the hat much to the delight of the crowd.
“It was the 18th hole in the last round and I was at the bunker. I chipped the ball and it landed smoothly and rolled on to hit the flag and into the hole. There was a loud cheer from all around,” Siddikur says with a smile while speaking to a couple of reporters at the posh club on Sunday.
If the participation at the World Cup was a big achievement for Siddikur, it was made all possible only after his changed mindset at the CIMB Classic where he decided to shift from 'playing safe' to 'playing for victory'. Siddikur admits that playing alongside Keegan Bradley and Bubba Watson in that tournament made him realise that playing safe was not an option for him anymore, rather he had to win and play aggressively.
“No one can win playing safe. You can end up with a respectable position but can not win like that. Now I'm playing more aggressively and I got the reward in Indian Open. Now that I'm earning enough, I don't have to worry about my participation money, or caddie fee or travel expenses. So why not go for the kill?”
By being aggressive, Siddikur means aiming for the hole, improving his driving distance and such other technical aspects while at the same time always keeping an eye on the score.
“When you play aggressively, you risk a lot and the thing is to minimise the risk. So I'm trying to find the balance between being aggressive and at the same time being accurate,” says Siddikur, who admits at being very analytical about his stats and overall game now. A grown up and wise Siddikur also admitted that he knew or understood little about these final details when he won the Brunei Open in 2011.
“I honestly didn't expect to win at that stage of my career. What the Brunei Open win did was to give me freedom and the courage to go forward. This time though (Indian Open) I was more knowledgeable and conscious about where I was and what I was doing. And I believe the only way from now on is the way ahead.”