SCORESHEET
Day 1

January 26th 2010, Dhaka, Bangladesh: Mohd Siddikur Rahman, the top professional from Bangladesh, Chandigarh’s Sujjan Singh and round one leader Sanjay Kumar of Lucknow are the joint leaders after round two of the American Express Bangladesh Open 2010. Siddikur, Sujjan and Sanjay ended round two with identical totals of six under 138. While Siddikur and Sujjan shot scores of 66, Sanjay carded an even par 72 to make it a three-way tie for the lead.

Bangladeshi amateurs Mohd Dulal Hossain and Mohd Shakhawat Hossain are tied fourth at five under 139.

The cut was declared at 11 over 155. Fifty professionals and all the six amateurs (all from Bangladesh) in the field made the cut. Sixteen Bangladeshi professionals made the cut.

Mohd Siddikur Rahman (72, 66) kept the flag flying for the host nation with his second round effort of a bogey-free six under 66. Siddikur was five under after the front nine, having birdied the third, fifth, sixth, seventh and ninth. The 25-year-old then played an outstanding approach shot from 140 yards to within four feet of the pin to close his round with his sixth birdie of the day.

Siddikur said, “I hit some excellent approach shots which landed pretty close, especially on the seventh, ninth and 18th. This helped set up some easy birdies for me. However, my putting was below par. I need to putt better in order to have any chance over the next two days.

“I’m not putting any pressure on myself this time around, unlike last year,” added Rahman, who enjoys home advantage at the Kurmitola Golf Club.

Sujjan Singh, Round 2 co-leader

Sujjan Singh (72, 66) matched Rahman’s score of 66 to be the joint leader. His second round featured an eagle, six birdies and two bogeys. On his first nine, Sujjan birdied the 11th, 13th, 14th, 17th and bogeyed the 10th and 16th to make the turn at two under. The 29-year-old then had a flawless second nine, as he sank birdies on the third and fifth and closed with an eagle on the par four ninth. Sujjan holed his lob wedge approach shot from 94 yards on the ninth.

“It’s a great way to start the season. I didn’t play here last year but I really like the layout of this course. I got a hang of the greens today and that’s one of the reasons for my low score. I hit it close on a few occasions and my short game was good,” said Sujjan.

He added, “The highlights of my round today included a 25 feet birdie putt on the 11th, the eagle on the ninth, where I holed my second shot (lob wedge) from about 94 yards and a good recovery from the bunker on the 12th to save par.”

Sanjay Kumar (66, 72) made seven birdies against five bogeys and a double bogey in his second round to grab a share of the lead along with Siddikur and Sujjan.

Sanjay said, “Even though I made seven birdies today, including a chip-in on the 15th, it was a disappointing day for me because I dropped far too many bogeys. I did not drive and putt as well as I had done in round one.

“I was targeting a total of 10 under after two rounds but unfortunately I fell way short of my target.”

Bangladeshi amateurs Mohd Dulal Hossain and Mohd Shakhawat Hossain Sohel lie one stroke off the lead at five under and are tied fourth.

Indians Digvijay Singh and Ranjit Singh share sixth place along with Bangladesh’s Mohd Jibon Ali at four under 140.

Bangladesh amateur and defending champion Mohd Jamal Hossain Mollah is tied 12th at two under 142.