BANGLADESHI LEADS BY FOUR IN HERO INDIAN OPEN

NEWS RELEASE FROM ASIAN TOUR 

Delhi, November 9: Siddikur continued to dominate the Hero Indian Open when he shot a flawless third round five-under-par 67 to extend his lead by four shots over local hope S.S.P. Chowrasia on Saturday.
The Bangladeshi hit a sublime chip from the greenside bunker on hole 18 for an easy tap-in birdie to put himself in prime position to win his second Asian Tour title since 2010 at the US$1.25 million Asian Tour event.
Chowrasia, a two-time Asian Tour winner, closed with two birdies for a 66 while Rashid Khan of India, who grew up at the Delhi Golf Club, and Filipino Angelo Que shot a 65 and 67 respectively to share third on 204.
Siddikur, who has only dropped two shots in 54 holes, said that he is playing his best golf since turning professional in 2007.
"It has been a great week. This is the best I've played in my career. I'm putting and hitting the ball so well. Mentally I'm strong and I'm very focussed," said the Bangladeshi, who leads with a three-day total of 17-under-par 199.
"When I won in Brunei, I had to play safe because I wanted to save my Asian Tour card and make some money to survive on the Tour. Now, I'm not playing for money. I'm hungry for achievements so that's my target."
The straight-hitting Siddikur, the first Bangladeshi to play and win on the Asian Tour, will continue playing aggressively after trading his safe approach game with more attacking flair.
"I didn't read the lines properly or my score would have been lower. It is a big advantage for me now. If I can play like how I've been playing, then I think I can easily win," said Siddikur, who started playing golf with a makeshift seven iron head attached to a metal rod.
Chowrasia, who finished second at the Indian Open in 1999 and 2006, struggled with wayward tee shots early in his round but bounced back with four birdies in his closing five holes.
"My hitting wasn't very accurate to begin with as I kept hitting it left and right. I feel I really got going from the 14th hole onwards as I started finding the centre of the fairway. I have very good memories on this course and I would like to use that to my advantage in the final round," said Chowrasia.
"Siddikur has been playing some top quality golf. He has also done well at this venue in the past. I'll have to shoot somewhere in the region of seven-under to put up a stiff challenge on the final day," he added.
A rejuvenated Que charged into contention for his fourth Asian Tour win with six birdies against one bogey and credited his solid round to a two-week break which he spent with his family in the Philippines.
"My game has always been there. Those weeks that I missed the cut is usually because of the way I'm putting and thinking on the golf course. I'm thinking clearly this week. The two weeks off that I took have really helped me," said the Filipino.
THIRD ROUND TOTALS

Par 216 (3x72) Yardage 6,983

199 SIDDIKUR (BAN) 66-66-67. 
203 S.S.P. CHOWRASIA (IND) 69-68-66. 
204 Rashid KHAN (IND) 69-70-65, Angelo QUE (PHI) 69-68-67. 205 Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 71-67-67. 
206 Unho PARK (AUS) 68-73-65, Adam GROOM (AUS) 69-67-70. 
208 Chiragh KUMAR (IND) 69-70-69, BAEK Seuk-hyun (SKOR) 69-69-70, Rahil GANGJEE (IND) 66-69-73. 
209 Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 71-70-68. 
210 Mithun PERERA (LKA) 70-72-68, Jake HIGGINBOTTOM (AUS) 72-70-68, Anthony KANG (USA) 70-73-67, Scott BARR (AUS) 71-70-69, LEE Sung (SKOR) 70-70-70, Sanjay KUMAR (IND) 70-68-72, Shankar DAS (IND) 67-70-73. 
211 CHAN Yih-shin (TPE) 70-72-69, Manav JAINI (IND) 72-69-70, Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 66-73-72, Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) 70-68-73, Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 66-68-77.