Dulal leads the charge

Dulal Hossain swung to a seven-under-par (65) as three Bangladeshi golfer occupied the top three positions at the end of the first round of the BTI Open yesterday. The 26-year-old Dulal exchanged nine birdies for two bogeys at the Kurmitola Golf Club yesterday to grab the outright lead in the 35-lakh-rupee event, co-sanctioned by Bangladesh Professional Golfers' Association and Professional Golf Tour of India.

Dulal was followed by two-time Asian Tour winner Siddikur Rahman and young local golfer Sajib Ali, both of whom returned a card of six-under-par (66) on Wednesday.

While Dulal traded nine birdies against three bogeys, Siddikur went bogeyless while racking up six birdies over the 18 holes.

Dulal, who came to limelight after scoring a record 63 at this course during the first Bashundhara Open last year, was delighted with the day's outcome.

"I got off to a good start with a birdie today and that put me in a good frame of mind. I just took all my opportunities thereafter. The four consecutive birdies gave me a lot of confidence that translated into a solid back-nine," the young golfer said after the day's play.

Siddikur, who has struggled at the Asian Tour circuit so far this season, showed signs of his old form with a 66 at his favourite golf course. His longest putt of the day was the 20-feet birdie conversion on the 13th while the highlight of his round was the birdie chip-in on the 14th.

"It's great to start the week with a bogey-free round. I'm delighted to have shot such a low score after a long time. I've not been playing too well of late but would love to turn it around with a good performance this week," said the 31-year-old.

India's Pratap Atwal and Udayan Mane occupied the fourth spot at five-under-par (67) while C Muniyappa of India was a further stroke behind. Jamal Hossain Mollah and Mohammad Musa were the other two local golfers to make the top ten.