Siddikur starts title defence today

Bangladesh's premier golfer Siddikur Rahman plans to bounce back from a run of poor results at his favourite hunting ground when he defends his title at the 1.5-million-dollar Hero Indian Open, starting today.

The two-time Asian Tour winner uncharacteristically missed the cut in his last two events but hopes to rediscover his best form when he contends at the Delhi Golf Club, a venue where he has one win and eight other top-10s, including two runner-up results.

Siddikur will face strong challenges from the home front led by an in-form Anirban Lahiri, Rashid Khan, who won twice in 2014, Jeev Milkha Singh, a two-time Asian Tour number one, S.S.P. Chawrasia, Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa at the event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

 “I feel at peace and happy here. I don't feel any pressure even though I'm defending my title this week. When you do bad or good, it is part of golf. I learn a lot from my mistakes and that has helped me improve,” Siddikur told Asiantour.com.

The 30-year-old hopes to strike it hot with his irons which he reckons will be the key to success this week. With his coach Shane Gillespie and wife Samaun Anjum Auroni by his side, Siddikur is determined to retain the title.

“My coach is with me and he is motivating me. According to my stats, I'm not hitting enough greens in regulation. That's my strongest point in the past. My short game is there but I'm not finding enough greens to go low,” Siddikur explained.