Siddikur hoping to lock horns with idol Ernie Els

Bangladeshi star Siddikur held the lead halfway through the second round at the US$800,000 Venetian Macau Open on Friday as South African great Ernie Els mounted a charge.

Siddikur (69-66) led by one shot at seven under par from Ben Campbell of New Zealand, Elmer Salvador of the Philippines and Baek Seuk-hyun of South Korea at a sun-splashed Macau Golf and Country Club.

But all eyes were on Els, who got into birdie mode early on the back nine to go to five under and delight organisers who paid a handsome six-figure sum to bring the four-time major winner to Macau.

But Siddikur, who lies in 10th place on the Asian Tour money list, said he was in “good shape” to take on his idol, Els, and company over the weekend. “It was a great round,” he said. “My ball striking was perfect and especially my putting.

“This is a placing course which I like very much. I finished third here last year and I had good thoughts. I’m enjoying myself.

“I had a good week in Taiwan, missed the cut in Korea but I played well though. I’m in good shape,” said Siddikur, whose only win came in 2010 at the Brunei Open.