Kathmandu, November 26

The Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the second event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2018-19, is beginning here at the Royal Nepal Golf Club from Tuesday.

A total of 41 golfers — 33 pros and eight amateurs — are taking part in the tournament that carries a cash purse of Rs 551,250. The tournament will be played under stroke play format over 72 holes. Cut will be applied after second round with top 21 pros and at least six amateurs making it to the final 36 holes, informed the organisers, Nepal PGA in a release today.

The winner of the tournament will receive Rs 95,000, while the runner-up will get Rs 65,000. The third-placed pro will earn Rs 55,000, while others in top 21 will get their share of cash prizes. “The playing condition of the course has been tweaked up for the tournament and most of the participants played a practice round today to acclimatise with the conditions,” said the organisers.

Top ranked pro Shivaram Shrestha, Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Sanjay Lama, Jayram Shrestha and Ram Thapa are the main contenders to win the title, while amateurs Sukra Bahadur Rai, Tanka Bahadur Karki, Subash Tamang and Binod Tamang are among the amateurs vying for the trophy.

Nepal PGA and RNGC President Rabindra Man Shrestha hoped a fierce competition over the next four days. “I am looking forward to good scores from more players in this tournament as the standard of golf has gone up tremendously. I would like to thank our sponsor Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd for their continued sponsorship of the Tour,” Shrestha added.