Kathmandu, October 8

Top pro Shivaram Shrestha opened the Surya Nepal Central Open campaign with four-under 68 here at the Gokarna Golf Club today.

Shrestha, the most successful golfer of the country, took a two-stroke lead over Dhana Bahadur Thapa of Army club and amateur golfer Prithvi Malla in the first tournament under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2018-19. Thapa and Malla carded two-under 70.

Shrestha made a flying start with three consecutive birdies before carding two more on the fifth and eighth holes to take the turn at five-under 31. He played one-over 37 on the back nine. Shrestha faced a double bogey on the 12th hole after hitting a horrible tee shot. He recovered well with birdies on the 13th and 15th holes. Shrestha then faces a bogey  on the final hole.

Krishna  Man Rajbahak was fourth after he returned with  even-par 72, while veteran pro Deepak Magar shared the fifth position with Amanda golfers Sunil KC and Sandeep Tamang at one-over 73.

Likewise four pros Deepak Acharya, Bikash Adhikari, Pradeep Kumar Lama and Bhuwan Nagarkoti were tied for 74 with amateurs Wangchen Dhondup and Surendra Phuyal.

In all, 30 pros and 11 amateurs are taking part in the event which carries a cash purse of Rs 661,500. Top three pros after 72 holes will receive Rs 120,000, RS 77,000 and Rs 55,000 respectively. Top 21 pros and  six amateurs will make cut after 36 holes.