Rahman aims to retain Indian Open

Bangladeshi trailblazer Siddikur Rahman is relishing a return to his favourite hunting ground for the Hero Indian Open next week.

The 30-year-old has played in 11 Asian Tour events at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) since 2010, posting one win, two runner-up finishes and six other top-10s.

Rahman’s only win on the course came at the 2013 Hero Indian Open, and his fine record makes him as one of the top contenders at this year’s US$1.5 million instalment, which is co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours for the first time.

Siddikur, who was part of Team Asia who secured a thrilling 10-10 tie with Europe at the inaugural EurAsia Cup in Malaysia last year, believes his straight-shooting game is well suited to the DGC.

“You must have a lot of patience there. I’ve played on the course many times and I know it well,” he said.

“It is a course which definitely suits my game because I’m a straight hitter. You must really plan your shots properly.”

The Indian Open did not take place in 2014, meaning that Rahman is still the defending champion.

Thai veteran star and two-time Hero Indian Open champion Thaworn Wiratchant and the in-form Anirban Lahiri, who won the co-sanctioned Maybank Malaysian Open last week, will also feature in Delhi.

The Hero Indian Open will take place from 19 to 22 February. It is the third consecutive event co-sanctioned by the Asian and European tours in recent weeks.

The Maybank Malaysia Open took place last week, while the True Thailand Classic will start on Thursday.

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