To be honest, my motive to play in the Qualifying School was to see how the players played. I did not expect to earn my card! I wanted to enjoy myself and gain more experience but it was great to play a good final round and earn my Tour card.
What made you decide to turn professional? I had always wanted to turn professional earlier but I didn’t have much money back then. It was only after I won the Bangladesh Amateur Open for three consecutive years that my golf club said they would support me if I turned professional.
How did you cope with the financial aspects during the initial stage of your professional career?
Playing in the first year on the Asian Tour is always tough for any golfer. I missed a number of cuts but I was satisfied to finish in 82nd on the Order of Merit. I returned again for Qualifying School in 2010 but missed the cut. I remember asking Amandeep Johl to help me ask for a country exemption and the Asian Tour approved it! I’m so grateful to the Asian Tour for giving me a spot.
It wasn’t easy. I had to spend my money wisely with flight tickets and hotel accommodations. After missing several cuts early in the year, I ran out of money to fund for future tournaments. I went back to my golf club and told them of my situation. Luckily they were generous enough to provide me flight tickets to three tournaments and at the Hero Honda Indian Open, I was able to collect my biggest prize that year – US$14,875 (finished tied 19th place). That helped a lot!
What were your expectations when you played in the 2009 Asian Tour Qualifying School? To be honest, my motive to play in the Qualifying School was to see how the players played. I did not expect to earn my card! I wanted to enjoy myself and gain more experience but it was great to play a good final round and earn my Tour card. (Note: Siddikur is the first Bangladeshi to earn an Asian Tour card) Playing in the first year on the Asian Tour is always tough for any golfer. I missed a number of cuts but I was satisfied to finish in 82nd on the Order of Merit. I returned again for Qualifying School in 2010 but missed the cut. I remember asking Amandeep Johl to help me ask for a country exemption and the Asian Tour approved it! I’m so grateful to the Asian Tour for giving me a spot.
How much does the victory at the Brunei Open mean to you? I can say that I’m now a step higher in my career and for golf in my country. It made me proud to be the first Bangladeshi to play on the Asian Tour and win. It is a big achievement.
How did your family react to your victory? My mum was very happy because this was the first time I have won so much money. My whole family was very excited. My victory meant a lot to them.
Could you tell us a bit about your family and Dhaka? There are a lot of crimes in Dhaka but there are crimes in other countries as well. But I was 12
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living in a cantonment area and it was quite safe for me and my family. My father owns a small business and my mother is a housewife. I have three other brothers. My eldest brother is already working while my two younger brothers are taking up golf.
How will your victory in Brunei help with the development of golf in Bangladesh? My golf club is starting to support the younger generation of golfers and their initiative is good. They are creating a boys and girls junior programme and providing the children of golf members with practice facilities and training. At the moment, the popularity of golf in Bangladesh is good and many players will break through the ranks in the near future.
What do you plan to do with your earnings in Brunei? I love golf very much and it is my dream to play in big tournaments. I’m going to keep all my winnings to fund for my participation in the co-sanctioned tournaments.
What do you think is needed to improve the standard of golf in Bangladesh? We had a meeting previously and the plan is to host an Asian Development Tour event. I believe it will be good for the future generation. I think this is essential for golf in Bangladesh to move forward.
We have many players in Bangladesh and what we need now is to have more tournaments. I believe that a player should do well in his country first before going abroad to do better.
With such a busy schedule, how do you keep in touch with your family in Bangladesh? I usually contact them by phone. It will be easier for me now after receiving a BlackBerry for my victory in Brunei. It is convenient for me to check my e-mails and keep in touch with family and friends. I was surprised to receive a BlackBerry after my victory but happy at the same time because it helps to have one when you are constantly travelling.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life? It has to be Norzian Joya (who is Malaysian). I met her in Sri Lanka in 2003 when she took her daughter to play in a tournament there. I remember she told me that my game was perfect but my mental aspect was letting me down. Since then I have been working with a mental coach, Sata Hidaiki (a Japanese working in Bangladesh) to improve my mental game. I have to thank Norzian for pointing that fact out to me and since I joined the Asian Tour, she has been a huge inspiration for me to do well. I’m grateful to her because I wouldn’t have won if it wasn’t for her.