Indian Open golf: Defending champion Siddikur Rahman shares lead

Siddikur Rahman opened his title defence at the Indian Open golf championship with a six-under-par 65 to share the lead with four players including S.S.P. Chawrasia Thursday.

The Bangladeshi was tied alongside Chawrasia, Richard T. Lee of Canada, Chapchai Nirat of Thailand, the world 72-hole scoring record holder, and Sweden's Joakim Lagergre at the $1.5 million dollar event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka, who lost in a three-way play-off to Chawrasia three months, and Kalem Richardson of Australia were a further two shots back at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC).

Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and home favourite Anirban Lahiri, who won the Malaysian Open two weeks ago, carded a 70 and 73 respectively.

Siddikur, a two-time Asian Tour winner, returned to his best form on his favourite hunting ground after missing the cut in his last two appearances.

He relied on his sharp-shooting game at the narrow Delhi course where he has enjoyed great results in the past which include winning the 2013 Hero Indian Open and finishing second twice. The Indian Open was not staged last year.

"I played really good golf and made some long putts. My hitting was perfect so that was good. I always look forward to returning to the Delhi Golf Club. This is my favourite course," said Siddikur, a member of Team Asia who secured a dramatic 10-10 tie against Team Europe in the inaugural EurAsia Cup last year.

"This is a tight and narrow golf course. I'm a very accurate player so I really like playing on this type of layout. You always see me in good positions when I play here," said the 30-year-old.

Chawrasia, who won two of his three Asian Tour titles at DGC, continued his impressive form to stay on track to secure another win at the venue where he recently won in November.

"It looked easy but it wasn't! My putting was good so that's the key. This is my National Open and all the Indian golfers enjoy playing in this event. I'm not thinking too much on the course, I'm just enjoying myself," he said.