Bangladesh legend Rahman raring to go despite lack of game time

Bangladesh golfing hero Siddikur Rahman is mixing it with the big guns at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn - and that is all the more impressive considering his limited game time this season.

The two-time winner on the Asian Tour is on -7 at the halfway stage, just three off clubhouse leader Bjorn Hellgren of Sweden after following up his opening-round 66 with a second-round 67 at the Macau Golf and Country Club.

Starting on 10, the 39-year-old carded three straight birdies from 12 to 14 before ‘careless’ bogeys on 15 and 18 threatened to derail his round.

Two more birdies on one, his tenth, and six got him back on track, and his round could have been even better had he converted any of three birdie chances on his final three holes.

Rahman, who managed a T3 at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters back in 2022 for one of his best finishes in recent times, and qualified under the career earnings category this week, said: “I have played quite well. Today I had a lot of chances, but I made a few silly mistakes. My last three holes I could not capitalise on any of them from inside 70 yards, and I also made two silly bogeys.

“On 18 I topped a 240-yard shot into water for bogey, and on 15 I made bogey from the green with a three putt. I am hitting it so well with my first and second shots, but inside 80 yards, where I am normally strong, somehow, I seemed to miss in both rounds.”

Perhaps it should be no surprise that Rahman left a few shots out on the course. He has only played once this season, at the IRS Prima Malaysian Open a month ago where he managed a T31 on 13-under, 10 off winner David Puig of the Fireballs GC in the LIV Golf League.

The reasons for his lack of golf are varied - a mixture or bureaucracy and practice issues.

Rahman, who plays at Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka, said: “At my golf course I can play any time and practice inside the course, but my range has artificial matts and range balls, and as a pro golfer you really need proper grass and real balls.

“So I didn’t get the chance to practice on the real course. The last two weeks I didn’t do enough short game practice. I can see the impact on my long game, but I couldn’t practice that much so when I set up, I’m not sure what to do. I’m in between. But I’m in good shape and feeling comfortable.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a visa for Oman - as a Bangladeshi, there are often problems with visas and because I was supposed to play Oman, I didn’t put my name down for New Zealand. So then I couldn’t get the visa for New Zealand at the last moment because it was too late. So seven under is not bad, I’m happy for both days!”

Rahman, whose wife Samaun Anjum Auroni is also a golf pro, is optimistic about his game this season. He said: “Honestly, with the game I have and the way I am moving forward, I will hopefully be in a good position. The two bogeys today were from centre fairway, and the opportunities I got I could not convert, but my game is there and if I continue playing the way I am playing I will be in a good position.”

If there is a golf course that suits his renowned accuracy from the tee and strong short game it is Macau Golf and Country Club, so look out for Bangladesh’s favourite golfing son this weekend among the stars of the LIV Golf League.