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 The self-taught world number 310, dubbed the 'Bangladeshi Tiger
Woods' at home, has never competed at one of golf's four major
championships, meaning the Olympics, should he qualify, would easily
stand out as the pinnacle of his career.
"Wow, yes, It would be very exciting for me if I can get in," the
31-year-old told Reuters during a rain delay at the recent Singapore
Open.
"Obviously I have a target for that, I just need to play better to
get in. It would be a very good impact for my country to get into
it."
The top 15 players in the world rankings on July 11 will qualify
automatically for the Aug. 5-21 Games but only four can come from
any one country.
The remainder of the 60-man field will be determined by the
rankings, with a maximum of two players from each country that does
not already have two or more players among the top 15.
Siddikur currently sits 58th on the list, just inside the
qualification spots.
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Bangladesh's Olympic record is far from spectacular since it first
sent athletes to the 1988 Seoul Games following invites from the
International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The country of 160 million is frequently described as the largest to
never win an Olympic medal, with sport too expensive for most and a
low priority for many others.
Siddikur, though, is hoping to change that and the "village boy" who
started playing at eight with a homemade iron and was 15 before he
got his hands on an authentic set of clubs, could become the first
Bangladeshi to qualify for an Olympics.
"Maybe I could be the first. I hope I will get in, let's see, there
is a long way to go. If I can play my own game, I think it won't be
a problem," the former child caddy said after he missed the cut in
Singapore.
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Australian Scott, a three-time winner of the Singapore title and
also the 2013 U.S. Masters, has been dismissive of the first Olympic
golf event since the 1904 Games, describing it as an exhibition that
did not merit a place.
For Siddikur, the first Bangladeshi to play and win on the Asian
Tour, the opportunity is a welcome one for both him and his peers
from other emerging golf markets.
"Philippines, Sri Lanka, more countries have a chance to get in,"
said the golfer, who rose to prominence as a teenager when he used
his homemade seven iron to win a tournament for caddies in Dhaka.
"I would say its a great thing because golf, all over the world we
play golf, so it should be in the Olympics. It is a really good
decision to put it in," he said, before pausing to imagine the
impact of winning gold.
"I don't know what will happen. The Olympics is something all over
the world. An Olympic gold medal is just 'wow', I couldn't imagine
what would happen.
"Honestly, if I can get into the Olympics that is the one
achievement, if I can play good that is another."
(Editing by John O'Brien)
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