Siddikur aims to inspire at Cambodian Open

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

via CAAI

AFP, Dec 8, 2010

SIEM REAP: History-maker Siddikur of Bangladesh hopes to live up to tag as an inspirational role model for his countrymen when he tees off at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open on Thursday.

Since graduating from the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2009, the 26-year-old has ignited the dreams of many of his compatriots who are yearning to find similar success on the Asian Tour.

Siddikur became the first man from Bangladesh to win a title on the Asian Tour at the Brunei Open in August.

After his historic win in Brunei, Siddikur narrowly missed out on his second Asian Tour title in Taiwan after losing in a playoff to Thailand's Pariya Junhasavasdikul in October.

But he continued to show his potential by outperforming some of the best players in the world in high-profile events in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong in the following months.

He had another noteworthy tied-fifth finish in India last week and will start the week in Cambodia as one of the hot favourites to win the $300,000 event that is now into its fourth edition.

"My form is very good and I'm looking forward to this week in Cambodia. I started playing well after the Queen's Cup in Koh Samui and since then I've managed to achieve many good results," said Siddikur, who grew up in a poor family where his father worked as a farmer and taxi driver to raise a family of four sons.

Siddikur worked as a ball boy and caddie at the Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka to fund his education.

"To be honest, I don't really see myself as a superstar despite the widespread publicity on my achievements back home," he said.

"I'm just happy to do my part in growing the popularity of golf in my country. It's nice to know that I've set the benchmark for my countrymen to follow."

Siddikur will be up against a host of elite players at the Phokeethra Country Club, including defending champion Marcus Both of Australia and Singapore's Mardan Mamat, as well as Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant and Thongchai Jaidee, who jointly hold the highest number of Asian Tour victories.

As the penultimate event on the 2010 Asian Tour schedule before the season finale King's Cup in Hua Hin, the battle for playing rights for next season will also intensify, with players aiming for a good finish to earn their full playing rights for next season.