Kathmandu, March 23

Nepal No 1 pro Sukra Bahadur Rai made a mediocre start in the Duncan Taylor Black Bull Challenge at the Karnataka Golf Association course in Bengaluru today.

Rai squandered a dream start and carded even-par in the first round to share the 86th position with 18 other golfers. Rai, who teed off the day from the 10th hole, made a flying start with four consecutive birdies from the 12th before dropping a shot on the 18th to take the turn at three-under 33.

But he failed to keep the momentum going on his back nine. He not only failed to find a birdie but instead faced bogeys on the second,seventh and ninth holes to finish the latter half at threeover 39. He was nine strokes off the pace and two shots behind the projected cut line of two-under in the $300,000 event, co-sanctioned by Professional Golf Tour of India and Challenge Tour.

Spanish pro Manuel Elvira carded nine-over 63 to take one-stroke lead over Welshman Oliver Farr, who shot a bogey-free 64. Nine pros - Stefano Mazzoli, Ashley Chesters, Henric Sturehed, Matteo Manassero, Joel Sjoholm, M Dharma, Steven Brown, Velten Meyer and Aman Raj - were tied for third at five-under 67. Likewise, 23 golfers shared the 12th place at four-under 68, while either others were tied for 35th at 69.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 24, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.