KATHMANDU, MARCH 14

Top pro Sukra Bahadur Rai began the title defense of the Surya Nepal Central Open with an impressive seven-under 65, here at the Gokarna Golf Club today.

The Dharan-based Nepal No 1 pro, Rai opened up onestroke lead over Bhuvan Nagarkoti after the home club pro carded a bogey-free 66 in the fifth event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022- 23. Jayram Shrestha was further two strokes behind at third with the score of four-under 68.

Rai - who is also plying his trade in the Professional Golf Tour of India and made cuts in the two events he played so far - posted five-under 31 on the back nine after taking the turn at two-under 34. He made a dream start with an eagle on the par-4 first hole before carding a birdie on the third. He dropped a shot on the sixth hole for the lone bogey of the day.

On the bogey-free back nine, Rai carded five birdies on the 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th and 18th holes.

Former Nepal No 1 pro Nagarkoti made a solid start carding an impressive six-under 30 on the front nine. But he failed to maintain the momentum going and returned with even-par 36 on the latter half. He made a flying start carding four birdies on the first five holes, saving a par on the fourth. He then sank an eagle on the par-5 seventh and saved pars on the next two holes. Nagarkoti saved pars on all nine holes after taking the turn.

Shrestha carded two-under 34 on either half to remain three strokes off the pace. He dropped a shot on the fourth against three birdies on the second, third and seventh holes. On the bogey-free back nine, Shrestha carded birdies on the 14th and 15th holes.

Another Dharan-based pro, Tamang carded one-under 71 to hold the fourth place. He carded a birdie on the ninth hole after saving pars on first eight holes, while he faced two bogeys against as many birdies on the back nine. Two pros Sanjay Lama and Bal Bhadra Rai shared the fifth position with amateurs Sadbhav Acharya and Subash Tamang at two-over 74.

Amateur golfer, Norbu Sherpa and pro Shivaram Poudel were tied for ninth at one-over 73, whereas two amateurs Nischaya Jung Rayamajhi and Yubraj Bhujel shared the 11th place with three pros Ramesh Adhikari, Rame Magar and Dinesh Prajapati at two-over 74.

A total of 40 golfers - 31 pros and nine amateurs - are taking part in the tournament organized by Professional Golfers Association Nepal under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. Top 21 pros and at least six amateurs will make it to final two rounds after the second day. Out of the total purse of Rs 800,000, top three pros will receive Rs 140000, Rs 90,000 and Rs 67000 respectively.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 15, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.