Title holder Siddikur Rahman aims for repeat win at India Open

NEW DELHI: Bangladeshi trailblazer Siddikur Rahman is relishing a return to his favourite hunting ground at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) next week, a venue which has rewarded him with a string of top results including an emphatic victory at the 2013 Hero Indian Open.

Siddikur has played in 11 Asian Tour events at DGC since 2010 and has posted one win and eight other top-10s, including two runner-up finishes. His fine record makes him one of the top contenders at the USD 1.5 million Hero Indian Open, which will be sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour for the first time from February 19-22.

Thai veteran star Thaworn Wiratchant, who is a two-time Hero Indian Open champion, Angelo Que of the Philippines, Prayad Marksaeng, an eight-time Asian Tour winner, Englishman Steve Lewton and Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain will also feature at the prestigious event along with the in-form Anirban Lahiri, who won the co-sanctioned Maybank Malaysian Open last week.

Joining them in the elite field include former Indian Open champions Arjun Atwal, C Muniyappa, Jyoti Randhawa, Firoz Ali and David Gleeson of Australia.

Siddikur, the first Bangladeshi to play and win on the Asian Tour, recently married Samaun Anjum Auroni in Dhaka, and he hopes to give himself the perfect wedding gift by successfully retaining his Hero Indian Open, which was not staged last year.

"I've known Auroni for a long time. In fact, I met her on the golf course. She's actually a single handicapper and she's good for me. She's not only a boost to my personal life but also my career as she knows the game and gives me a good test from time to time," smiled Siddikur.

The 30-year-old Siddikur, who was part of Team Asia who secured a thrilling 10-10 tie with Europe at the inaugural EurAsia Cup in Malaysia last year, believes his straight-shooting game will continue to be a good omen when he arrives at the DGC.

"You must have a lot of patience there. I've played on the course many times and I know the it well. It is a course which definitely suits my game because I'm a straight hitter. You must really plan your shots properly," said Siddikur.