Bangladesh’s Siddikur Rahman makes use of course familiarity to take Rd 1 lead at DGC Open

Familiarity with the Delhi Golf Course structure proved to be an enormous benefit on the DGC Open. After the primary spherical, Bangladesh’s Siiddikur Rahman — frequent participant to the golf course the place he clinched one fo his two Asian Tour titles — started his newest tilt with a bogey-free spherical of seven-under 65 that put him in a two-shot lead within the $750,000 occasion.

Rashid Khan, who was the perfect performing Indian on the day, averted dropping any shot on the structure re-designed by golf legend Gary Player. His 67 put him at par in second spot with Thailand’s defending champion Nitithorn Thippong and Filipino Justin Quiban, who had a career-best fifth-place end finally yr’s version.

Siddikur gained the Hero Indian Open on the DGC in 2013, whereas Rashid has gained the SAIL-SBI Open right here forward of the Bangladeshi golfer. Siddikur’s consolation stage on the venue will be gauged by the truth that he has 13 Top-10 finishes in 16 begins. Besides the one win, he has 4 runner-up finishes right here.

Siddikur Rahman, the chief on the finish of Day 1 takes us by way of his flawless efficiency at the moment 🔥 #TheDGCOpen @asiantourgolf @mastercardindia @GolfRahman pic.twitter.com/BlXz61M4FB

— The DGC Open (@TheDGCOpen) March 16, 2023

“I love the Delhi Golf Club course and I have always enjoyed playing here with some good results, including a win. So, it was a wonderful day. I’m hitting really well and at the same time I am putting well,” Siddikur, who had birdies on the primary and eighth holes earlier than ending his spherical in spectacular vogue with 5 birdies in his final seven holes, mentioned.

Rashid needed to take care of some adversity over the previous few months within the type of a again harm. “I had the injury around November and after that, I lost my touch so I was really scared to hit shots because of my back. I had to change my swing a little,” Rashid, who started with 9 consecutive pars on Thursday, mirrored.

“On the back nine, I had a good birdie on the first and then finishing with the last three birdies was great. That gives you confidence and that’s what I needed.”

Six gamers had been tied for fifth place after carding 68 every. The group included one other Indian S Chikkarangappa, who was tied sixth final week in Thailand, and Indian-American golfer Varun Chopra.
Four gamers had been tied for eleventh at 3-under. Overall, 40 gamers shot underneath par and one other 16, together with SSP Chawrasia, who has gained three Asian Tour titles on the DGC, shot even par 72 to be tied forty first.