Rahman sizzles to 6-stroke win
Mohammad Siddikur Rahman lived up to the home crowd’s expectations, registering an imposing six-shot victory at the inaugural City Bank American Express Chittagong Open golf tournament in Chittagong on Saturday. India’s Sanjeev Kumar finished second.
Rahman shot a clinical twounder-70 in the final round to keep the trophy in the host nation of Bangladesh. He ended the `40 lakh event with a total of 16-under-272.
Kumar finished second at 10under-278 after his impressive final round of four-under-68. It turned out to be the Lucknow golfer’s career-best finish.
Rahman (69-66-67-70), the overnight leader by seven strokes, drove home the advantage on the final day with considerable ease as none of the other golfers posed any threat to his lead.
Rahman bagged his sixth title on the PGTI tour. It was also his first win on the tour since his triumph in Dhaka a year ago.
The 32-year-old was threeunder through 11 holes on Saturday after chipping-in for a birdie on the fifth and also setting up tap-in birdies on the 10th and 11th with a couple of top-class chip shots.
The two-time Asian Tour winner made another chip-in on the 16th, his second of the round and fifth of the week, to cruise home despite bogeys on the 12th and 17th.
“My chipping was the best aspect of my game this week. I made five chip-ins in the tournament. I didn’t leave myself too many long putts, especially on the last day. I felt I kept up the intensity through the final round and was therefore in total control,” Rahman said.
Kumar (70-71-69-68) climbed from his overnight tied third to second courtesy his 68 in round four. Kumar, who struck six birdies and two bogeys on the day, thus finished the event as the highest-placed Indian golfer.
The 25-year-old’s second top10 of the season propelled him from 12th to sixth in the PGTI Order of Merit.
Kumar said, “I’m delighted with this result. I’ve been playing really well since last year and the results are gradually getting better for me.”
Delhi’s Shamim Khan (70) finished third at eight-under-280. He continues to lead the PGTI Order of Merit.