After three years away from the international golfing calendar, Hong Kong returns with the World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club (WCC), which will focus a global spotlight on the state of the game locally – and in Asia – as the best players from the region and its rising stars are set to take on Fanling this week.

As well as the tournament headliners – European legends Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson – this week’s WCC field features well-established Asian stars in Order of Merit winners Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Thailand’s first player on the PGA Tour, his compatriot Jazz Janewattananond, and a pair of former Hong Kong Open winners from Australia in Wade Ormsby and Scott Hend.

There are also the region’s promising young talents, including freshly-minted Asian Tour card-carrying local professionals Taichi Kho and Matthew Cheung, and decorated amateurs Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat of Thailand, already a winner on the Asian Tour, and China’s Ding Wenyi, the current US Junior Amateur champion.

Kho, who today was announced as an official Hong Kong Golf Club ambassador, has got his pro career off to a solid start since making the switch from the amateur ranks last month, having figured prominently at the recent International Series Thailand before finishing in a tie for 34th, as well as ending last week’s The DGC Open presented by Mastercard in a tie for 59th.

HONG KONG- L-R- Henrik Stenson of Sweden, Wade Ormsby of Australia, Taichi Kho of Hong Kong, Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand and Ian Poulter of England pose with the winner’s trophy in downtown Hong Kong aboard a ferry ahead of the World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club. The US$ 1 million Asian Tour event is staged from March 23- 26, 2023, at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, Hong Kong. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

The 46-year-old Stenson’s connections with the region date back more than 20 years as across the course of his career the Swede has been a global ambassador for the sport. But the WCC will be his first taste of the game, Hong Kong Golf Club-style, and the 2016 Open champion arrives keen to check up on developments in Asia.

“We’ve seen the growth, we’ve seen the improvement, and you see it on every Tour around the world – you see names popping up, strong players coming out of Asia,” said Stenson. “You see the amateurs getting the opportunity to play at Augusta and [talent has] just been kind of drip feeding from Asia for a long, long time.”

The 47-year-old Poulter has long been a Fanling fixture and wrote his name in the history books with a record-setting 22-under-par final score when he captured the Hong Kong Open in 2010. Like Stenson, the Englishman has throughout his career helped champion the game across Asia – while continuing to be one of the most popular visitors among golf fans everywhere he goes.

“In Hong Kong there has always been fantastic support,” said Poulter. “The local level of support has always been fantastic. I’m definitely excited about the opportunity to come back. Every time we play in Asia, we see new, incredible golf talent coming through. So I’m expecting to see some youngsters. I’m old enough to be their father – but hopefully I’m older and wiser enough to still keep them at bay for a bit longer.”

As well as the US$1 million purse that’s up for grabs, the WCC offers players a chance to play themselves into the 151^st Open Championship, which will be staged at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in July, as it has been selected as one of the three Asian tournaments that make up The R&A’s Open Qualifying Series (OQS).

“This is a big thing for the Asian Tour, for Hong Kong to have,” said Poulter. We can go there, we can play a golf course I know and hopefully we can go and qualify for the Open Championship at the same time.”

For Stenson, a trip out to the historic New Territories layout has long been on the agenda. Finally he gets to fulfill a desire to check the Hong Kong Golf Club out for himself.

“When I’m thinking about golf in Asia, there’s a couple of courses that come to mind and, obviously, Hong Kong and Fanling is one of them,” said the Swede. “I’m really looking forward to coming in there and also to seeing some of the local talent.

At the press conference following a special ferry tour of the city’s magnificent harbour, Hong Kong Golf Club Captain Andy Kwok welcomed the players and the return of international golf to the city:

“The Club is thrilled to welcome back world-class golfers and spectators to the fairways of Fanling after such a long break. There has been really great interest in the tournament, which is reflected in the extremely large number of fans who have already registered for tickets, so this is all very encouraging. We have a wonderful field of competitors, including a great mix of household names and really talented local players, and many fun-filled, off-course activities for spectators to enjoy, so we are all set for four days of fantastic action,” said Mr Kwok.

HONG KONG- L-R- Ian Poulter of England, Henrik Stenson of Sweden, Wade Ormsby of Australia,  Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand and Taichi Kho of Hong Kong answer questions at a press conference in downtown Hong Kong ahead of the World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club. The US$ 1 million Asian Tour event is staged from March 23- 26, 2023, at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, Hong Kong. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

The Hong Kong Golf Club is sharing the excitement with the community, hosting schools and community organizations at the WCC and offering new fans an opportunity to learn more about the fundamentals of golf and to experience the excitement of tournament play.

It is the start of an active season of international competition at Fanling.  In addition to hosting the inaugural WCC, the Club will also stage the Aramco Team Series Hong Kong, a premier Ladies European Tour event, in October, whilst the 62^nd edition of the Hong Kong Open, Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, makes a welcome return in November.

The World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club is proud of being an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital. The “M” Mark awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolising an intense, spectacular and signature event in the territory sports calendar.

The Asian Tour and IMG are delighted to announce the return of the Macao Open and to reveal SJM Resorts, S.A. (“SJM”) as the new title sponsor for one of the most prestigious tournaments on the Asian Tour, taking place 12^th – 15^th October 2023 at the picturesque Macau Golf and Country Club.

SJM, a leading owner, operator and developer of premium integrated entertainment resorts in Macao, is confirmed as the title sponsor for the next three editions with the SJM Macao Open, benefiting from the full support and endorsement of the Sports Bureau of Macao and the Macao Golf Association.

SJM has been pivotal to reviving this celebrated event and its support and vision ensures that one of the most popular stops on the Asian Tour will return bigger and better than ever for its 20^th edition.  Featuring on the schedule for the first time since 2017, when the tournament was won by India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar (main picture), this year’s 144-player field will compete for a prize fund of US$1million.

The Macau Golf and Country Club, a business unit of SJM’s parent company Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau, S.A. (“STDM”), has staged every edition of the event and is renowned as one of the most beautiful courses to play in Asia, offering stunning views of the South China Sea. An impressive roster of global stars has competed over the years including Major winners Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, Darren Clarke, John Daly, Padraig Harrington, Vijay Singh and Nick Price, as well as prolific international winners including Miguel-Angel Jimenez, Branden Grace, Ian Poulter and Thongchai Jaidee. Past winners have included Lee Westwood, Colin Montgomerie and China’s own Liang Wen-chong and two-time winner Zhang Lian-Wei.

Pavit Tangkamolprasert poses with the trophy after winning the Macao Open 2016 at the Macau Golf & Country Club. Picture by Arep Kulal/ Asian Tour.

Cho Minn Thant, CEO & Commissioner of the Asian Tour commented: “We are delighted to welcome back this important Asian Tour event to our schedule and are very grateful for the support of the Sports Bureau of Macao, SJM, the Macao Golf Association and our partners IMG for their work in reinstating this tournament. Historically it has been a very popular event amongst our players and I know this will be very welcome news for all.”

Pun Weng Kun, President, Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government added: “Bringing back this long-running golf tournament to Macao has been an important priority and we are very happy to be able to support the return of this international event. ‘Sport for All’ is a very important government initiative and the health benefits of golf are undeniable so we hope that the return of the SJM Macao Open to the island will serve as inspiration to our residents and be enjoyed by all.”

Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, remarked: “SJM is committed to bringing Macao onto the world stage by hosting international sporting events. We are very proud to be the title sponsor of the SJM Macao Open, through which we will contribute to enhancing Macao’s profile as an energetic sports city and showcasing our all-rounded strength as a top notch destination. As a major supporter of ‘sports + tourism’, we aim to elevate Macao’s brand as a world centre of tourism and leisure, boost international arrivals and bring economic benefits to the community.”

Charles Lo, President of Macao Golf Association added: “Reinstating our national open has been a very high priority for us so we are thrilled to be part of this announcement and very thankful to all the partners who have helped make this happen. We very much look forward to welcoming everyone to the SJM Macao Open later this year.

Grant Slack, EVP & Managing Director, Golf Events, IMG said: “Over the years this tournament has hosted many of the world’s best golfers at the world class facilities of Macau Golf & Country Club. Together with the Asian Tour, MSB, SJM and Golf Association of Macau, we are so pleased to be able to play a part in returning this important event to Macao and we are already underway with our preparations for its October return.”

Filipino Miguel Tabuena fired an inspired seven-under-par 65 to win The DGC Open presented by Mastercard at Delhi Golf Club today and claim his first title on the Asian Tour in just over four years.

The 28 year old, six behind overnight leader Rashid Khan from India at the start of the day, confidently glided around DGC’s challenging Lodhi Course shooting seven birdies and no bogeys to finish on 12 under and beat Khan by one.

Khan, himself chasing a first Asian Tour victory in nine years, closed with a 72, while Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat finished one shot back to claim third place outright with a 68.

Tabuena, playing in the penultimate group, gradually reeled Khan, who started the day with a three-shot lead over countryman Chikkarangappa S, in and was four behind him at the turn, thanks to three birdies, before a brilliant back nine saw him catch and overtake the Indian.

Miguel Tabuena. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

The Filipino birdied 10, 12, 15 and 16 while Khan dropped shots on 15 and 17, where he had a bad lie in a greenside trap on the par three and failed to get up and down. Khan needed an eagle on the par-five 18^th to draw level, but his approach just missed the green from where he chipped to four feet and made a four.

A one hour and 20 minute delay caused by inclement weather while Khan was playing the 14^th did little to help the India’s chances, while Tabuena’s round was one short of the course record.

“I feel great,” said Tabuena, who becomes only the second player from his country to win in India after his legendary compatriot Ben Arda’s success in the Indian Open in 1969.

“I have been playing well, very well for the past few months and I really believed that another win was coming very soon. I told myself to just stick to the game plan, you have been playing awesome the first few days.”

The win completes something of a comeback for Tabuena who only just kept his Tour card on the Order of Merit in 2022 taking the last spot and who had to deal with the trauma of his father having a heart by-pass last year.

Rashid Khan. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

He first tasted victory on the Asian Tour at the Philippine Open in 2015 before his second win at the Queen’s Cup at the end of 2018.

“It is very, very easy to get too aggressive at Delhi Golf Club and I was very, very happy with how we stuck mentally to our game plan,” he added.

“I executed each shot the way I wanted to. It is hard to describe, it is great to be back in the winner’s circle and I really believe there is way more room for improvement still.

“To be honest bogey free Delhi Golf Club on a Sunday is probably the best feeling in the world. As soon as I got my scorecard I thought ‘did I really just shoot seven under in Delhi Golf Club at one of the hardest courses we play on the Asian Tour?’ I shot one of the best rounds of my career on a Sunday. I didn’t force any shots, even though it was very easy to. I am pretty overwhelmed, I am pretty tired physically and mentally also.”

Khan will be bitterly disappointed not to have prevailed today. Since winning the SAIL-SBI Open at DGC in 2014 he has now finished second on five occasions here. He was also second twice on the Asian Tour last year, suggesting his time for another victory will surely come soon.

“I wasn’t hitting it well at all and the worst part was that this is the first time in my life where I couldn’t hit hard,” he said.

“I wasn’t able to swing it well. I have a problem in my swing which I’m working on, and I played this week only on my putter, that’s it. And I just didn’t hole my putts today.

Crowds watch the action on Sunday. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“On the 17th, I had to go for it. I was trying to hit my eight iron and I thinned it again and ended up making a bogey. So, you know when you are two shots back and going into the last hole, that’s different.

“If I had gone aggressive today, the score could have been even worse. During the break, I went to the range and was hitting it well but on the golf course it was a different story. I am taking an off next week.”

The Asian Tour journeys to the World City Championship at the Hong Kong Golf Club next week from March 23-26.

Marc Leishman hasn’t had many opportunities in recent years to enter the final round of a golf tournament as the solo leader.

“There’s been a few here and there,” the 39-year-old Ripper GC team member said. “But it’s been a year or two.”

He’ll get to reacquaint himself with the pressure now after shooting a second-round-under 66 to move to 11 under at LIV Golf Tucson. That gives him a two-shot lead over Sergio Garcia going into Sunday’s final round at The Gallery Golf Club.

“Obviously you play early in the tournament to try to put yourself into a good position, and I’ve played well enough to do my first part of the job,” said Leishman, who’s seeking his 14th career pro victory. “But there’s probably more than half the work to do tomorrow.”

In the team competition, Garcia’s Fireballs GC have slept on the lead as recently as last October when they won LIV Golf Bangkok. Unlike that tournament, when the Fireballs entered the final day with a seven-shot lead, their lead this time is much smaller.

Thanks to Garcia’s 65, Eugenio Chacarra’s 67 and Carlos Ortiz’ 68, the Fireballs are at 22 under – just one shot ahead of Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC. Cameron Smith’s Ripper GC are another four shots back.

Sergio Garcia. Picture by Christian Petersen/Getty Images.

“Obviously super happy about how the team has done the first two days, even more so today. Very, very strong day,” said Garcia, the Fireballs captain. “… We still have to do more of the same. If we think that it’s done, that it’s over, then we’re going to get passed left and right.”

Indeed, with three counting scores, the potential for volatility on the team leaderboard was on full display Saturday. First-round leaders Torque GC had the least productive day of any of the 12 teams and fell into a tie for eighth. At one point midway in the second round, four teams shared the lead before the Fireballs grabbed the lead down the stretch.

“We’ve seen over the past 10 events how quickly leaderboards can change out on the golf course with a team,” said Oosthuizen, whose Stinger GC is seven shots back. “Five, six behind is not a lot from the team aspect. You need three guys to play really well, and hopefully we can put three good rounds together tomorrow.”

The HyFlyers had three terrific rounds on Saturday to shoot a cumulative 15 under, best of any team, thanks to Brendan Steele’s 65, Cameron Tringale’s 66 and Mickelson’s 67. The HyFlyers had a share of third place in one tournament during the inaugural 2022 Invitational Series but now find themselves with their best chance to claim a team trophy.

“We’re going to have to be really aggressive,” said Steele, who joined LIV Golf this season as one of six new members. “We’re going to have to keep doing what we did today because obviously the scores were really good today.”

Leishman also may have to be aggressive in order to fend off his chasers, as eight players are within four shots of the lead.

One of those is Charles Howell III, tied for third at eight under with Tringale, Steele and Stinger GC Captain Louis Oosthuizen. Howell won the season-opening LIV Golf Mayakoba with a final-round eight-under 63. Is there another 63 out there for the taking on the South Course?

“Probably not for me, maybe for someone else,” said Howell, who plays for Crushers GC. “I think the hole locations are really difficult. I think it’s really hard to get the ball close, the slope and the greens and all that. You’ve got to putt really well to do that because you’re not going to hit close very often. You’ve got to take advantage of the par fives to do it.

“It may be out there but it’s going to be one heck of a round to do it.”

Leishman realizes he’ll enter Sunday with a target on his back.

“There’s a lot of great players that are just behind me,” he said. “It’s a course where you can make a lot of birdies, and if you’re a little bit off, you can make a lot of others. So you can lose a lead quickly, or you can extend it.

“I just need to do my job, hopefully do as good as I can, and see where we end up at the end of the day.”

India’s Rashid Khan will have another fine opportunity to win his first Asian Tour title in nearly a decade tomorrow after he took the third-round lead today in The DGC Open presented by Mastercard, being played on the Lodhi Course at Delhi Golf Club (DGC).

Khan fired a four-under-par 68, impressively recovering from a double bogey on the first, to finish the day on 11 under for the US$750,000 event and a three-shot advantage over countryman Chikkarangappa S.

Chikkarangappa, who started the day with a three-shot lead and is in pursuit of first Asian Tour title, shot a 74.

Honey Baisoya carded a 65, the joint best low round of the week so far, to sit two back in a tie for third with fellow Indian Om Prakash Chouhan, who returned a 73, and Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, in with a 71.

Chikkarangappa S. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Khan won his first Asian Tour title here at DGC in 2014 at the SAIL-SBI Open, beating Siddikur Rahman from Bangladesh in a sudden-death play-off, and tasted victory again later that year at the Chiangmai Golf Classic but they remain his only two wins on the Asian Tour.

There have been opportunities to win since, including at DGC where he has an outstanding record, and last year he finished runner-up twice: first in the Mandari Indonesia Open and then in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, where he lost in extra-time to Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang.

“I am looking for  gaood round tomorrow and let the game talk,” said the 32 year old, the prolific winner of 11 titles on the Professional Golf Tour of India.

“These kind of rounds give you a lot of confidence, when I shot a bogey free round on day one I was happy. Then today on the first hole I was in the middle of the fairway off the tee and I ended up making a double so you know to come back and shoot that round gives you a lot of momentum. You know you are at the corner where your game is gonna come back.”

Lightning stopped played for 45 minutes when he was on the 11^th, but it did little to distract him as when play resumed he holed a difficult 30 footer for birdie.

Om Prakash Chouhan. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“I just tried to find the greens and give myself birdie opportunities, I holed really good putts today,” he added.

“Only used my driver once, which is very rare when I am playing DGC, I was just teeing off with my three iron, I am really enjoying this kind of play.”

After that opening double, he didn’t drop another shot, and birdied four of the next six holes, and another two on the back nine.

His fine DGC record, which may count for everything tomorrow, also includes a play-off loss against India’s Anirban Lahiri at the 2013 SAIL-SBI Open.

Khan said he has never seen playing partner Chikkarangappa miss so many putts.

“I wouldn’t say it was a bad day, I hit the ball well, I putted well, it’s just that I lost a little bit of speed on the green, probably the weather, just a little bit of rain slowed the greens,” said Chikkarangappa, who frustratingly made two bogeys and 16 pars.

“It’s okay, I have another 18 holes to go. I just need to go out there and repeat yesterday’s round, nothing else, if I do that, like I said my putter was cold, I just need to get that hot at the beginning of the round. If I do that I think it will be a good match tomorrow.”

Baisoya’s round was picture perfect with no dropped shots and three birdies on the front and four on the back.

Honey Baisoya. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Filipino’s Miguel Tabuena and Justin Quiban have an outside chance tomorrow after shooting rounds of 72 and 73 today to lie seven behind the leader, along with England’s Matt Killen, in with a 74.

Australian Marc Leishman has taken the first round at the LIV Golf Tucson event, while Torque Golf Club are in front in the team competition.

Leishman opened with a six-under-par 65 at The Gallery South Course to grab a one-shot lead over Abraham Ancer, Matthew Wolff and Louis Oosthuizen.

Peter Uihlein, Joaquin Niemann and David Puig are tied for fifth, two shots behind.

Scott Vincent, winner of last year’s International Series Order of Merit on the Asian Tour, started well with a 68, and is tied for eighth.

“I’m enjoying my golf at the moment … Playing with no consequences over the offseason kind of gave me a little bit of confidence with some of the shots I hit and how they turned out,” said the 39-year-old Leishman, who is seeking his 14th career pro victory.

In the team competition, Torque GC leads at 10 under thanks to counting rounds by Niemann, Puig and Sebastian Munoz (69). The Spanish-speaking team is one shot ahead of three teams – Smash GC, Fireballs GC and Iron Heads GC.

Torque comes off its first-ever podium finish, a third place at LIV Golf Mayakoba. The next step for Captain Niemann and his crew is a champagne first-place celebration.

“I’m pretty excited to see what’s going to happen on the weekend,” Niemann said of Torque, the youngest of the 12 LIV Golf League teams.

The youngest player is the 21-year-old Puig, who played collegiately at Arizona State before turning pro last year to become a LIV Golf member. Puig recently played a practice round with Arizona State legend Phil Mickelson and carded 11 birdies. He produced seven on Friday, tying for the most in the field.

Matthew Wolff of Smash GC reacts to a missed putt on the 16th green during Day One of the LIV Golf Invitational – Tucson at on March 17, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. Picture by Christian Petersen/Getty Images.

“It’s nice to see David playing great,” Niemann said. “… Pretty cool to see him scoring well. The practice rounds, you could tell he was feeling like home.”

As for the affable Leishman, he and his Ripper GC teammates – captained by reigning Open Champion Cameron Smith – are building the type of camaraderie they hope will manifest itself into team trophies. Next month, LIV Golf travels to Australia for the first time, with huge crowds expected for LIV Golf Adelaide.

“It’ll be nice to be able to play in front of home crowds in Adelaide, which is a really cool city,” Leishman said. “They love their sport. Certainly, excited to get down there and just showcase what we’ve got with LIV.”

The immediate focus, of course, will be on the final two rounds of LIV Golf Tucson. Saturday’s tickets have been sold out. Leishman and the players chasing after him hope to feed off their energy.

“I actually holed a nice putt in 16 in front of the Birdie Shack,” Leishman said. “It was nice to make a birdie in front of there and get a nice cheer.”

Chikkarangappa S says he is “not a fan” of Delhi Golf Club (DGC) because of its nuances and level of difficulty but that certainly did not show today as he confidently swept into the lead at The DGC Open presented by Mastercard.

The Indian fired a brilliant second-round bogey-free six-under-par 66, on DGC’s enchanting Lodhi Course, to go 10 under and take a healthy three-shot lead over his compatriots Om Prakash Chouhan (68) and Rashid Khan (70), Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong (70), the defending champion, and Sadom Kaewkanjana (67), and England’s Matt Killen (69).

Chonlatit Chuenboonngam, the impressive young Thai golfer beaten by Australian Wade Ormsby in a sudden-death play-off last week at the International Series Thailand, carded a 67 and is one shot further back with countryman Poom Saksansin (66), first-round leader Siddikur Rahman from Bangladesh, who will be disappointed to card a 73 after his 65 yesterday, and Filipino Justin Quiban (71)  – in the Asian Tour’s first visit of the season to the sub-continent.

Chikkarangappa, who started on the back nine, made four birdies on his first nine, birdied his last two, and hit 18 greens in regulation said: “Honestly I am not a fan of this golf course, not a really big fan, but I am just learning how to play every year.”

Rashid Khan won the 2014 SAIL Open at DGC beating Siddikur Rahman in overtime. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

A top-10 in last week’s International Series Thailand, where he shared the third-round lead with Siddikur, has clearly had a positive effect on a player who has twice finished second on the Asian Tour before.

“I have been putting really well, discussing things with my caddie, and striking the ball really well,” said the Indian, better known as “Chikka”, who has triumphed twice before on the Asian Development Tour, at the TAKE Solutions India Masters in 2014 and 2015.

“I have given a big responsibility to him [his caddie], with no driver in the bag, to hit the most number of fairways, and with that everything will fall in place.”

Nitithorn beat India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu here last year to claim his maiden Asian Tour title and despite not being at his best today he is perfectly placed heading into the weekend of the US$750,000 event.

“I birdied the first but after that my approach shots weren’t so good,” said the Thai golfer.

“I struggled a little bit, bogeyed five, and then a bogey on 10 made me at one over par. After that I came back with birdies on 14, 15 and 18. Yeah struggling, but I am pretty happy to get back to two under. I’ll take that.”

Poom Saksansin shot the joint lowest round of the day, a 66. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Poom’s 66, the joint lowest round of the day with Chikkarangappa, was highlighted by an incredible run of five birdies in the last seven holes of the back nine, which was his first half as he started on 10, with his only dropped shot of the day coming on 16. After birdies on one and two he parred his way home.

“I played good, the driving was good,” said Poom, a three-time winner on the Asian Tour with the most recent coming at the 2018 Indonesian Masters, an event he also won in 2016.

“There were some misses but still I played well. Most of the time my birdies were from like six feet or six feet. I hit my irons better today.

“This is my third time at DGC. The conditions are now way better at the new course. But the bushes are still the same, if you get into it it is difficult to come out. The fairway is softer so better conditions.”

Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh pictured during Round Two of The DGC Open presented by Mastercard at the Delhi Golf Club. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Siddikur Rahman’s affinity for Delhi Golf Club (DGC) was clearly evident once again today when he took the first-round lead in The DGC Open presented Mastercard at the iconic golfing venue.

Bangladesh’s ace golfer, the winner of India’s national Open here in 2013 who also has 12 other top 10 finishes at DGC on the Asian Tour, fired an imperious seven-under-par 65.

Defending champion Nitithorn Thippong from Thailand, Filipino Justin Quiban and India’s Rashid Khan finished the day in a tie for second after shooting 67s – in the sixth Asian Tour event of the season.

Last week Siddikur, aged 38, shared the third-round lead in the International Series Thailand after firing one of the finest rounds of his 18-year professional career, an eight-under-par 64. He slipped back on the final day finishing in a tie for 27^th but he showed today that he is very much a player in form.

“Last week I played really good, and I am trying to maintain that confidence this week,” he said.

Nitithorn Thippong. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“It was a wonderful day today. I am hitting really, really, good, and putting really good. Especially happy it is a bogey free round.”

He chipped in twice for birdies, on eight and 17, and made seven birdies in total, two on the front, five on the back.

He added: “I have been working on my fitness, my technique, my mental training – so that’s starting to pay off, I can hit any shot I want. It is all starting to work.”

Nicknamed ‘the Tiger of Dhaka’, he is a two-time winner on the Asian Tour (he also won the Brunei Open in 2010). Although relatively subdued over the past four years he showed glimpses of his former self by finishing tied third in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters and joint fourth in the Bangladesh Open last year.

Nitithorn, who beat Indian Ajeetesh Sandhu in a sudden-death play-off here last year, made a late rally finishing eagle, birdie.

He started his round on hole 10 and made the turn in two under with birdies on 11 and 15. Another birdie on the first suggested he was settling into his stride, but he made his only bogey of the day on the following hole before his fine finish.

Justin Quiban. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“I holed from about 10 yards for my eagle on my 17^th, the eighth,” said Nitithorn, who also won the International Series Singapore last year to become one of only three players to win twice in 2022.

“I made a really good stroke on that putt, if it hadn’t hit the hole, I think it would have gone a long way past. I was lucky enough it went into the hole.”

The 26 year old, who finished fourth on last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit, has yet to find his form this season but DGC is clearly bringing out the best in him.

“I felt very comfortable before the start and after five or six holes I was already two under,” said the Thai golfer.

“I struggled with my approach shots mid-way through the round, but I managed to get it on the green and hole some putts. Like last year I want to shoot 66 everyday.”

Quiban started with 11 straight pars, then made three birdies in a row, followed by pars on 15 and 16, before two closing birdies.

“Front nine was kind of slow,” said the Filipino, who finished fifth here last year for his best result to date on the Asian Tour.

“But the back nine I was hitting it way closer, my putts started to go in and I had three straight birdies from 12. I got confident with my putting stroke.

“Off the tee was really good, I just never got myself out of position, I always had a good look into the green and stayed aggressive the whole day.  I had a good round on the final day last week in Thailand, and I just feel more confident this week.”

Chapchai Nirat. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, Miguel Tabuena from the Philippines, India’s Varun Chopra and Chikkarangappa S, England’s Matt Killen, and Taichi Kho from Hong Kong all carded 68s.