Hero Indian Open Golf: Siddikur Rahman keen to strike it rich

Seasoned golfer Siddikur Rahman hopes to enjoy better days ahead when he competes in the 52nd edition of the Hero Indian Open on his favourite hunting ground at the Delhi Golf Club beginning March 17.

The Bangladeshi trailblazer has an impeccable track record at the venerable Delhi course where he won the 2013 Hero Indian Open, finished second on four occasions and secured eight top-10s in other Asian Tour events.

His impressive record will be put to test when he faces an elite field which includes title holder and reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Anirban Lahiri and three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington at the $1.66 million tournament, sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours.

Local favourites Arjun Atwal, the first Indian to win on the PGA Tour, Rashid Khan, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Chiragh Kumar and S.S.P. Chawrasia, who lost in a play-off to Lahiri last year, will also feature in the four-day tournament.

Siddikur enjoyed his best seasons in 2009, 2010 and 2013 when he finished inside the top-10 in the Order of Merit but has not produced his best form following a back injury over the last two seasons.

“My injury didn’t allow me to focus on my physical strength and I lost a lot of my stamina and power. That’s obviously lacking in my game right now,” Siddikur said.

“It’s normal to get frustrated I guess. I used to play really good golf.

“But this is part of life. Every sportsmen have these bad times and we go up and down. It makes me appreciate what I have but I believe I will get back to my best form soon. I’ll continue to work hard at my game to achieve this.”

Regarded as one of the straightest shooters on the Asian Tour, Siddikur is determined to bounce back to top form and rediscover some of his best golf which he had displayed in recent years at the tree-lined Delhi course.

“Physically I am okay but I need to work harder to get back on track. I am struggling a bit with my game right now. I am feeling good at practice sessions but when I am on the course during a tournament round, I get a bit tired, have doubts in my mind.

“I have discussed this with my coach and we’ve decided that we need to get physically stronger. I am probably lacking a bit of physical conditioning now,” said Siddikur, a two-time Asian Tour winner.

The Hero Indian Open has been a regular fixture on the Asian Tour schedule and it will be sanctioned with the European Tour for the second consecutive year.