DHAKA: The second ‘Bashundhara Bangladesh Open’ golf tournament kicked off at Kurmitola Golf Course in city on Wednesday (February 10) through tee-off.

Bangladesh Golf Tournament is organizing the three-day tournament with the sponsorship of country’s largest business conglomerate Bashundhara Group for the second consecutive year.

Advisor (PR) and Head of HR & Admin of Bashundhara Group lieutenant colonel (retd) Khandaker Abdul Wahed, head of the brand Selim Ullah Selim and Event manager  Saiful Islam Rubel were also present at the opening ceremony.

A total of 138 golfers, including 35 from home, have taken part at the second edition of the US$300,000 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open.

The Asian Tour event started after Koh Deng Shan of Singapore, and M Farhad of Bangladesh took their tee shots at the first hole.

The first session will continue till 11:25am where M Jibon Ali, M Milon Ahmed, M Abdul Motin, M Saimum and Kawser Hossain are scheduled to play for Bangladesh.

But country’s top golfer Siddikur Rahman will take his tee shot at the eighth hole in the second session at 12:25 pm.

Last year’s champion veteran Singapore golfer Mardan Mamat could not partake in this tournament due to his father’s illness.

The two-time Asian Tour winner Siddikur Rahman wants to win his third championship at the ground of his homeland.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Siddikur Rahman said, ‘It is the big matter for me to take part in the Asian Tour tournament for the second time. Strong support from the local fans will be extra motivation for me to play well on home course.  I gave myself too much pressure. I was too focused on winning the tournament. I will try to stay relax this time. I will just enjoy my game.’

Casey O’Toole of the United States also wants to win the title. He said, ‘I am feeling good. I secured first top-five finishes on the Asian Tour last week in Myanmar.  Obviously, I want to win the title here. I’ll try my level best to show better performance of mine.’

BDST:  1030 HRS, Feb 10, 2016
RS/SMS