Kathmandu, September 15

Sukra Bahadur Rai, Tenzing Tsering and Sifat Kaur Alag earned berths for the 11th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final here today.

The trio won their respective age category titles of the Faldo Series Nepal Championship at the Gokarna Golf Club. The final is slated for March next year at the Laguna Lang Co in Danang, Vietnam.

Overnight leader Rai carded even-par 72 to post the 54-hole total of one-under 215 in the boys’ 17-21yrs age group. Yubraj Bhujel was a distant second with the score of 232 after he shot two-over 74 card on the final day.

In the boys’ 12-16yrs section, Tsering capped a stunning victory as he was seven shots behind India’s Aryaan Kumar going into the final round. Tsering carded even-par 72 for a total score of 14-over 230 to register four-shot victory.

Tsering scored three-under 33 on the front nine, whereas Kumar had a forgettable six-over 42. On the back nine, Tsering scored three-over 39 and Kumar faltered to five-over 41. Kumar finished second with the score of 234.

In girls’ category, India’s Sifat Kaur Alag scored five-over 77 for a total of 20-over 236. Nepal’s Pratima Sherpa was a distant second at 260 after she played 14-over 86.

A total of 25 golfers from Nepal, India and Italy took part in the tournament. Minister for Youth and Sports Daljit Sripali and President of Nepal Golf Association Madhukar Yakthumba handed over the prizes to the winners.

The 54-hole event was organised by Nepal Golf Association and Gokarna Forest Resort. Supported by The R&A and endorsed by Asian Tour and Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the 2016-17 Faldo Series Asia campaign stretches over 11 months. As well as two events in China, India and Thailand, the championships are staged in Nepal, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.