Kathmandu, October 7

Prithvi Malla won the eighth edition of the Surya Nepal Gokarna Monthly Medal here at the Gokarna Golf Club today.

Malla posted the score of even-par 72 to submit the best card of the tournament and was the winner in both nett and gross section. But Malla chose the nett category trophy as per the tournament rule of one-player-one-prize.

Played under stroke play full handicap format, the scratch golfer Malla carded one-under 35 before taking the turn and scored one-over 37 on the back nine. Dr Bhagwan Koirala finished second on count back after he was tied on three-over 75 with Gopal Chitrakar and Purna Man Shakya. Chitrakar was second runner-up, also on count back.

Tashi Dong, who scored eight-over 80, claimed the gross section trophy. Sam Doublard bagged the junior section title with the nett score of seven-under 65. The eight-handicapper Doublard played one-over 37 on the front nine before carding even-par 36 on the latter half.

In all, 35 golfers took part in the tournament sponsored by Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. President of Gokarna Golf Club Suhrid Ghimire and Captain Joseph Nathan handed over the prizes to the winners.

After the completion of eight rounds, Devendra Bajgai is at the top of the nett section table with 280 points, while Malla moved to second with 250 points. Rabindra Tiwari is third with 240 points, followed by Prabhakar Adhikari (180) and Chitrakar (160).

In gross section, Malla leads the standings with 500 points, while Chitrakar is a distant second with 265 points. Wangchen Dhondup is third with 200 points, whereas Babu Sherpa and Rabindra Tiwari share the fourth position with 120 points. In junior category, Doublard is at the top with 515 points, while Arnav Shah is second with 445 points and Ang Phurba Sherpa third with 305 points.

A total of 10 monthly medal rounds will be held until December. Top 40 golfers in nett category, 10 in gross and five in junior section will make it to the Club Championship finals, which will be played over two rounds in January and February next year.