Siddikur outshines Westwood in Jakarta

Unheralded Bangladeshi Siddikur shot a brilliant opening six-under-par 66 to lead the Indonesian Masters on Thursday, but he has world number two Lee Westwood breathing hard down his neck.

Siddikur fired two superb chip-ins in ideal scoring conditions to hold a one-stroke lead from the chasing pack at Royale Jakarta Golf Club. Westwood was two off the lead after the first round.

Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and compatriot Prayad Marksaeng posted solid 67s to share second place with Singaporean Lam Chih Bing, Filipino Antonio Lascuna and Koreans Park Hyun-Bin and Hwang Inn-Choon in the $750,000 showpiece.

Englishman Westwood, the hot favourite, was among seven players tied in eighth place on identical 68s.

If he wins this week and Luke Donald does not in the United States, Westwood will regain his world number one spot from Martin Kaymer.

"I'll let things take its course and see what happens at the end of the week. Like I said before, I'm here to win a golf tournament," said Westwood, Europe's number one in 2000 and 2009.

He struggled to get his putter on fire early in the round but birdied his closing two holes to put himself within touching distance of the lead. JAKARTA, AFP