Dharan, December 25

The Surya Nepal Eastern Open golf tournament is beginning here at the Nirvana Country Club Health and Golf Resort on Wednesday.

The event, third tournament under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2018-19, will be played over 54 holes. A total of 34 pros, including four from Dharan, will take part in the tournament along with 22 amateur golfers, informed the organisers, Nepal PGA in a release today.

Cut will be applied after second round with top 21 pros and at least six amateurs making it to the final 18 holes. The tournament carries a total cash purse of Rs 661,500. The winner will be richer by Rs 120,000, while the runner-up will earn Rs 77,000 and the second runner-up take home Rs 55,000. Others in top 21 will also get their share of cash prizes.

Top ranked pro and defending champion Shiva Ram Shrestha is expected to get a tough fight from local pros Bal Bhadra Rai and Shiva Kumar Majhi along with Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Sanjay Lama and Dhana Thapa. In amateur section, national team member Sukra Bahadur Rai will be looking to defend the title at his home club, while Sunder Rai, Bibindra Rai and Yubraj Bhujel will be aiming to put up a tough fight.

“Top pros and amateur golfers of the country have already arrived in Dharan and are getting acclimatised to the playing conditions of the beautifully laid out Nirvana Country Club at the Ghopa Camp,” said NPGA. “The course set in the midst of pine trees is a piece of architecture laid by British Army officers. The Golf course has been tweaked up for the tournament and will test skills of the best golfers of the country.”

The tournament will conclude with the Pro-Am event on Saturday in which amateur golfers will team up with professional golfers.