Kathmandu, January 11

Tanka Bahadur Karki led the Central Region to the team section gold medal of the NGA-NSC Golf Championship here at the Royal Nepal Golf Club today.

The national team golfer Karki carded a two-under 66 in the second round as Central Region posted the 36-hole total of 10-over 282 to win the title. His team members Subash Ghising played a round of 69, while Sandip Tamang shot 15-over 83. The best two players’ scores were added to decide the winning team.

Nirvana Country Club finished a distant second at 294 after Sukra Bahadur Rai faltered to a six-over 74. Yubraj Bhujel played 77 and Sundar Rai carded 71 for Nirvana. Likewise, RNGC team of Binod Tamang (75), Bharat Bastakoti (76) and Navaraj Chaulagain (82) came third with the score of 304.

In individual section, Karki closed in on the gold medal after he produced the best card of the day. At one-over 137, Karki opened up an eight-shot lead over overnight joint leader Sukra Bahadur Rai and Subash Tamang. Tamang carded one-over 69, while Rai played six-over 74.

Karki carded one-under 33 on either half. Karki made a blistering start of the day with three consecutive birdies before adding another on the fifth hole. But he was undone by bogeys on the fourth, seventh and ninth holes. After taking the turn, Karki fired three birdies on the 10th, 11th and 13th holes but went on to drop shots on the 16th and 18th holes.

Sundar Rai (71) was fourth at 13-over 149, one stroke ahead of Bipin Tamang (74), while Navaraj Thapa was sixth at 151.

Binod Tamang and Bharat Bastakoti were tied for seventh at 152, while Suresh Tamang and Amit Bogati shared the ninth position

at 153.

Top 21 players made it to Friday’s final round after the cut was applied at 26-over. A total of 40 players from seven teams — Eastern Region, Western Region, Central Region, RNGC, Gokarna Golf Club, Nirvana Country Club and Tribhuvan Army Officers Golf Club — are taking part in the tournament organised by Nepal Golf Association under the NSC Championships.