New Delhi, October 26: Delhi expert Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh signed for a solid six-under-par 66 to grab a share of the halfway lead with young Thai talent Suradit Yongcharoenchai at the US$400,000 Panasonic Open India on Friday.

After opening his campaign with a flawless 67, Siddikur fired eight birdies against two bogeys to match the efforts of overnight leader Suradit, who returned with a bogey-free 67, on 11-under-par 133 total at the venerable Delhi Golf Club.

Local hotshot Ajeetesh Sandhu carded a 67 to trail the leading duo by one in third place while his playing partner Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand, who also carded a 67, lurked two shots off the pace in fourth.

Placed 97th on the Habitat for Humanity Standings, Siddikur will have the Merit chase at the back of his mind when he bids for a third victory on the region’s premier Tour and second at the Delhi Golf Club in the weekend.

The 33-year-old Bangladeshi is hopeful of turning his season around with a strong showing on his favourite hunting ground, where he holds an impeccable track record on. He needs to finish inside top-60 on the final Merit rankings to keep his card for 2019.

Suradit, who goes by his Thai nickname ‘Art’, has enjoyed a commendable season on the Asian Tour thus far, claiming two top-five finishes which include a joint runner-up result in India two months ago. The 19-year-old is seeking his maiden Asian Tour title this week.

A total of 74 players will progressed into the weekend rounds after making the halfway cut set at two-over-par 146 at the popular event, which is celebrating its eighth consecutive edition on the Asian Tour.

The Panasonic Open India is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and is the second leg of the 2018/19 Panasonic Swing, which is an aggregate points race that spans five events – in Thailand, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan.

Suradit Yongcharoenchai of Thailand

Did you know?

• Siddikur Rahman birdied all the four par-fives (hole one, eight, 14 and 18) today. He missed only two fairways and needed only 24 putts around the greens in his solid round of 66.
• Siddikur holds an impeccable track record at the Delhi Golf Club. He won his second Asian Tour title in 2013, finished inside top-10 in four of his five attempts at the Panasonic Open India and has secured six top-10s in other Asian Tour events there.
• Siddikur did not play in the last two editions of the Panasonic Open India. In his last appearance in 2015, Siddkur came in tied-second.
• Placed 97th on the money list, Siddikur needs a strong showing to boost his rankings and hopefully break into top-60 by the end of the season to keep his Asian Tour card for 2019.
• Siddikur enjoyed his career-best season in 2013 when he came in fourth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. He has not finished outside top-60 on the money list in his last eight consecutive seasons on Tour since 2010.
• The 33-year-old Siddikur wrote a slice of history in 2010 when he became the first player from Bangladesh to win on the Asian Tour at the Brunei Open.
• Suradit Yongcharoenchai missed only three fairways and found a total of 16 greens in regulation in his solid round of 67.
• Suradit is seeking for his maiden Asian Tour title this week. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of his countryman and roommate Tirawat Kaewsiribandit, who broke through in Pakistan two weeks ago.
• Suradit turned professional at a tender age of 16 in 2015. He will be celebrating his 20th birthday on Sunday.
• Suradit sits in 40th place on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings, thanks to two top-five finishes in India and Pakistan. He came in joint runner-up in his last event in India in August and finished tied-fifth in Pakistan two weeks ago.
• Suradit plied his trade on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in 2016 and ended his 2017 season in 43rd place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit to keep his card for 2018.
• Suradit made the headlines when he won back-to-back titles on his domestic circuit last year.
• Ajeetesh Sandhu enjoyed a superb season in 2017 where he claimed his maiden Asian Tour win at the Yeangder TPC in Chinese Taipei. He followed up with a play-off win on the Japan Challenge Tour the week after.
• His good form continued in the following weeks at the Macao Open and the Pansonic Open India where he finished joint runner-up. Also enjoyed a tied-eighth place finish at the season-ending Indonesian Masters to finish in 21st position on the final 2017 Order of Merit.
• The 30-year-old Sandhu sits in a current 34th place on the Habitat for Humanity Standings, thanks to two top-10 finishes in Japan and Korea.
• Sandhu needed only 26 putts around the greens in his round of 67.

Players’ quotes:

Siddikur Rahman (Ban) – Second round 66 (-6), Total 133 (-11)

I had another excellent day with eight birdies and two bogeys. Overall, it was still a wonderful round. I am happy because I played exactly the way I wanted to play.

After dropping two bogeys in a row, I told myself it happens, especially on this golf course, and I still have many holes to go. I had like three eagle chances today. I hit the green in two on all three par-fives.

On the 14th hole, I had like seven feet for eagle but I missed that and settled for birdie. On the first hole, I had about a 20-footer for eagle and then another 12-footer on the eighth. I didn’t hole any of these eagle putts but it was alright.

I am really enjoying the course so far. I am very comfortable with my driver and three-wood. Nothing really different compared to yesterday. I stuck to my game plan and kept the same strategy.

I was a little unlucky on the third. I hit a good shot but it went into the bush. It was a good bogey actually. I chipped in from about 20 feet on the fringe with my putter.

I wasn’t thinking about catching anyone. I just want to play my own game and hopefully I can continue to play the way that I have been playing.

Suradit Yongcharoenchai (Tha) – Second round 67 (-5), Total 133 (-11)

Nothing really different from yesterday. The fairways are still playing firm. The pin positions are pretty much like yesterday’s as well. This Sunday’s my 20th birthday so I definitely hope I can win my first Asian Tour title here but I don’t want to think too much about that yet.

I just want to play my game and focus on the tee shots, which are important if you want to play well on this course. If I can hit it good off the tee, everything will be easier. I need a little bit of luck on the greens this week as well.

I made a long putt for birdie from about 15 feet on the 10th hole. That’s the highlight for me today. I feel happy for Tirawat who won in Pakistan two weeks ago. He told me not to think so much and just focus on my game.

I like Prom Meesawat. He’s one of my favourite Thai golfers. He’s not a long hitter but he can play so well. I practise with him sometimes and he always give me advises on my game which helped me a lot.

This is my third year as a professional. I have learnt a lot, especially from playing on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) where I started honing my skills in 2016. I played on the main Tour last year and secured my card. It has been a very good journey so far. I gained a lot of experiences which helped.

I learned a lot from the Thai players whom I travel and practise with. They have helped me a lot in my game. Seeing them win on Tour, I feel inspired as well and I hope to be like them one day. Like how Phachara Khongwatmai is playing in Europe now, my aim is also to play well so I can progress onto the bigger stage as well.

Ajeetesh Sandhu of India

Ajeetesh Sandhu (Ind) – Second round 67 (-5), Total 134 (-10)

It was a much better round today as compared to round one. I hit it better even though I missed a few putts. I’m quite pleased about my effort.

At the Delhi Golf Club, one has to create opportunities by hitting maximum fairways. The par-fives also provide scoring opportunities if you play them well.

I felt certain aspects of my game were a bit rusty so I’ve been working on those over the past few months with my friend and fellow professional Gurbaaz Mann and my coach Jesse Grewal.

The key moment today was the birdie on the 11th. After having started with a bogey on the 10th I felt I came back well with the birdie on the next hole that actually helped me settle down and get into my rhythm.

I’ve always played well at the Delhi Golf Club. I don’t remember having a bad finish here. I have good memories of this course from my junior days when I won a lot here.

Scores after round 2 of the Panasonic Open India being played at the par 72, 6935 Yards Delhi GC course (am – denotes amateur):

133 – Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA) 66-67, Siddikur Rahman (BAN) 67-66.

134 – Ajeetesh Sandhu (IND) 67-67.

135 – Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 68-67.

136 – Rashid Khan (IND) 68-68.

137 – M. Dharma (IND) 70-67, Jeev Milkha Singh (IND) 69-68, Settee Prakongvech (THA) 70-67, Jack Harrison (ENG) 69-68, Anura Rohana (LKA) 70-67, Yutaka Araki (JPN) 70-67.

138 – Aman Raj (IND) 70-68, Mukesh Kumar (IND) 71-67, Kshitij Naveed Kaul (IND) 72-66.

139 – Chapchai Nirat (THA) 70-69, Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA) 71-68, Khalin Joshi (IND) 71-68, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 69-70, Tapy Ghai (IND) 67-72, Matt Stieger (AUS) 70-69.

140 – Prom Meesawat (THA) 71-69, Angad Cheema (IND) 70-70, Sachin Baisoya (IND) 70-70, Chikkarangappa S. (IND) 71-69, Shiv Kapur (IND) 70-70.

141 – Shankar Das (IND) 70-71, Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 70-71, Kapil Kumar (IND) 69-72, Jbe Kruger (RSA) 71-70, Lionel Weber (FRA) 71-70.

142 – Peradol Panyathanasedh (THA) 68-74, Abhijit Chadha (IND) 71-71, Veer Ahlawat (IND) 68-74, Steven Jeffress (AUS) 71-71, K. Prabagaran (LKA) 69-73.