New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS): Siddikur tightened his grip at the weather-interrupted Hero Indian Open with a second round six-under-par 66 Friday to put himself in position to end a title jinx at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC).
The Bangladeshi opened with an eagle and holed a 20-footer birdie putt on the last for a 12-under-par 132 total, two shots ahead of Chapchai Nirat of Thailand, who posted a 68 at the $1.25 million Asian Tour event.
Multiple Asian Tour winners Angelo Que (68) of the Philippines and S.S.P. Chowrasia (68) of India were a further five shots back from Siddikur at the venerable DGC.
The halfway stage of the Indian Open was suspended due to darkness as thick fog delayed the start of round two for over an hour in the morning. A total of 26 players will return at 7.15am Saturday to complete the round.
Siddikur, the first Bangladeshi to play and win on the Asian Tour in 2010, took advantage of his straight hitting game and a hot putter, making 27 putts.
“I played aggressively again and I’m really enjoying this new style of play. I didn’t do anything exceptional in my game but I’m just enjoying the way I’m playing now. My game was excellent thanks largely to my short game,” smiled Siddikur.
The 29-year-old has enjoyed solid results at DGC but is still without a victory at the challenging course where he finished second at the 2011 SAIL Open and 2012 Panasonic Open India.
“This course is like my home course! I have good memories here. With the way I’m playing, I think it is time to win. I won’t do anything special but I will continue to play aggressively,” Siddikur added.
Chapchai endured a lean spell since setting a 72-hole world scoring record with a 32-under-par 256 in India in 2009 en route to winning his third Asian Tour title.
The big-hitting Thai has been struggling on the greens but turned the corner after reverting to a belly putter in September.
Chowrasia, a two-time Asian Tour winner, traded five birdies against one bogey to put himself in prime position to win the title after finishing second in 1999 and 2006.
“I have very good memories here. I will keep that in mind when I’m playing in the last two days,” said Chowrasia.