Siddikur opened up a two-shot lead at the halfway point of the Brunei Open after the Bangladesh golfer posted a second-round 67 to move to 11-under-par.

The 25-year-old’s four-under effort at the Empire Hotel and Country Club saw him move clear of overnight leader Thammanoon Srirot, who carded a 71, and Australian Adam Groom, who fired a 68.

“I’m very happy and excited with my total score as this is the first time I have been 11-under-par after the second round,” said Siddikur, who is bidding to become the first Bangladeshi to win on the Asian Tour.

“I was struggling a bit with my short putts because I found it tough to read the lines. If I had managed to get my putter working, I would have had a better score. Overall it was a good round and I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

Thammanoon bemoaned a cold putter for his level-par return.

“I couldn’t hole any putts out there after my birdie on three,” said the Thai.

“If I can get my putter going tomorrow, I think I will be able to shoot six or seven-under to put myself in contention.”

Groom, meanwhile, credited his work on the greens for his 68.

“My confidence was down after bogeys on the 17th and 18th holes. I tried to pull my game up after that but was hitting it all over the place. I wouldn’t have kept my score if it wasn’t for my putting,” he said.