Singaporean veteran Mardan Mamat was inspired by his wife’s special message as he posted a two-under-par 69 to cruise to a two-shot victory at the $300,000 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open yesterday.
The 47-year old completed a wire-to-wire win with a 14-under 270 total to win his fifth Asian Tour title and lift the unique trophy which was designed in the form of Bangladesh’s national animal, the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Khalin Joshi of India shot a 68 to tie for second place alongside Korea’s Soomin Lee, who posted a 67 at the Kurmitola Golf Club for their best result on the Asian Tour so far.
Meanwhile, it was a devastating final day for the local golfers as none could able to stay into top 15 on the leaderboard in the first ever Asian Tour event in the country. Shakhawat Sohel finished on 19th which was the top spot for the Bangladeshi players scoring two-under 69 in the fourth day.
Two-time Asian Tour champion Siddikur Rahman did the same to get an under-par score finally in his home ground and shared 38th position along with compatriots Dil Mohammad and a single-day wonder Dulal Hossain.
The day belonged to Mardan, who kept calm and composed in the heat. His overnight three-shot lead was reduced to one stroke after he bogeyed the fourth hole but he steadied ship with a pair of birdies from hole five before adding another birdie on the 12th hole.
After poor results earlier in the year, a jubilant Mardan was delighted to turn the corner and even celebrated the win by dancing to the beat of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open theme song during the prize giving ceremony.
The 23-year old Joshi, who was chasing for a first Asian Tour win, turned in 33 but struggled with a cold putter as he returned with eight straight pars and a closing birdie.
