‘Wonderful day’ for Siddikur

Siddikur Rahman described yesterday as a 'wonderful day' after shooting one of the lowest rounds of his 18-year professional career, an eight-under-par 64 in the International Series Thailand at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin.

The two-time Asian Tour winner took a share of the lead in the two-million-dollar event with an aggregate score of 15-under-par alongside India's S Chikkarangappa, Zach Murray from Australia and Thailand's Jazz Janewattananond.

With 28 players within three shots of the lead, the tournament is wide open and the stage set for a gripping final day, in what is the third International Series event of the season.

Siddikur looked like he was going to shoot an even lower round as six birdies on the front saw him turn in six-under-par 30 and when birdies followed on 12, 13 and 15 the course record of 62, set by American Sihwan Kim last year, looked within reach.

However, the 38-year-old made his only bogey of the day on 17.

"It was a wonderful day, I was so sound," Siddikur said. "My hitting was excellent and at the same time my putting was too good. So, all over it was a wonderful round for me, nine birdies and one bogey, the last two holes a little bit unlucky, but, again, I'm happy for today."

Siddikur is one of the shortest hitters on Tour, not suited to Black Mountain, which favours the long ball players, but the Bangladeshi countered that with a brilliant short stick display.

He said: "I especially enjoyed my putting today because the first two days I couldn't putt that good. The first day my hitting was excellent, but I couldn't putt honestly. But today, yeah, no complaints on the putting and my hitting was excellent too."