Thrilling Climax to Inaugural Faldo Series Bangladesh Championship

Mohd Rasel held his nerve in the heat of battle to claim a thrilling sudden-death play-off victory in the inaugural Faldo Series Bangla-desh Championship.

In a fittingly dramatic climax at Kurmitola Golf Club, Rasel secured his historic suc-cess at the first extra hole against Mohd Akber Hossain.

Sir Nick Faldo, Britain’s most successful golfer, said: “Congratulations to everyone at the Bangladesh Golf Federation for putting on such a wonderful tournament.

“The fact that more than 90 players took part is hugely encouraging and a clear sign that there is considerable enthusiasm for the game in Bangladesh. With the right support, I have no doubt that golf has the potential to become more popular in the country.

“I look forward to spending time with Mohd Rasel and all the qualifiers from Bangla-desh at the ninth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final.”

Joining Rasel and Akber Hossain at Mission Hills Shenzhen next March will be Zakia Sultana (Girls’ Under-21 winner), Mohd Nadim Hossain (Boys’ Under-18) and Afnan Mahmud Mahi (Boys’ Under-16).

In the presence of Bangladesh professional golfer Siddikur Rahman and Patrick Young, Chief Executive Officer of the Faldo Series Asia, Rasel and Akber Hossain engaged in a compelling head-to-head contest.

With an opening 74, scratch-handicapper Rasel surged three strokes clear. But Ak-ber Hossian, winner of the Boys’ Under-21 and Overall titles in last month’s Bangla-desh Junior Open, posted a second-round 69 to reduce the deficit to one heading into the final day.

While Akber Hossain closed with a 70, Rasel carded a 71 meaning they ended dead-locked on even-par 216.

Major General Md Mashud Razzaq, President, Junior Division, Bangladesh Golf Federation, said: “We are tremendously grateful to Sir Nick Faldo and the Faldo Se-ries Asia for their contribution towards growing the game in our country.

“We look forward to further discussions with Sir Nick and his team about adopting a holistic approach to the development of golf in Bangladesh.”

Supported by The R&A, ISPS and Mission Hills and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the 2014-15 Faldo Series Asia campaign stretches over 11 months and is made up of a minimum of 20 championships.

Recognised as the only global amateur series for boys and girls, the Faldo Series was established in 1996, expanding to Asia in 2006.

Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching more than 7,000 golfers each year. Past winners include Tseng Ya-ni and Rory McIlroy, who took his tally of professional Major titles to four with his wins at July’s Open Championship and August’s US PGA Championship.

Faldo Series Bangladesh Championship, leading final scores: Boys’ Under-21: 216 – Mohd Rasel (74-71-71); Mohd Akbar Hossain (77-69-70). 227 – Mohd Shafique (77-77-73). Boys’ Under-18: 237 – Mohd Nadim Hossain (84-78-75). 239 – Mohd Salah Uddin (77-80-82). 245 – Mohd Shomrat Sikdar (85-74-86); Jahangir Hossain (80-78-87). Boys’ Under-16: 234 – Afnan Mahmud Mahi (72-87-75). 243 – Tasvir Hassan (83-86-74); Mohd Sadeque Hossain (79-83-81). Girls’ Under-21: 226 – Zakia Sultana (81-73-72). 227 – Liza Akhtar (76-73-78). 228 – Sonya Akhtar (76-74-78).