Kathmandu, July 14

Devendra Bajgai won the fifth edition of the Surya Nepal Gokarna Monthly Medal here at the Gokarna Golf Club today.

Played under stroke play full handicap format, the 20-handicapper Bajgai carded five-under 67 nett to finish first. Madhav Simkhada finished second on count back after he was tied on four-under 68 with Surendra Phuyal. Simkhada carded three-under 33 on the back nine, while Phuyal played two-under.

In gross section, Tashi Tshiring edged past Surendra Phuyal on count back to win the trophy after they were tied on one-over 73. Tshiring carded even-par 36 on the back nine, while Phuyal finished behind for the second time on a single day after he played one-over 37. Likewise, Mayank Dahal won the junior section title with the score of six-over 78 nett.

In all, 34 golfers took part in the tournament organised by Gokarna Golf Club under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. Former president of Nepal Golf Association Pradeep Kumar Shrestha handed over the prizes to the winners.

Despite falling behind in both the categories, Surendra Phuyal leads the nett section table with 220 points, while Bajgai climbed to second with 140. Jigmay Dongstetsang is third with 125 points, followed by Prabhakar Adhikari, Tendi Sherpa and Prithvi Malla — who have 100 each.

In gross section, Tashi Tshiring is at the top with 340 points, while Phuyal is second with 290. Wangchen Dhondup is third at 135, followed by Tashi Dong (125) and Prithvi Malla (100). Likewise, Ang Phurba Sherpa (340), Sam Doublard (250) and Arnav Shah (175) are the top three golfers in junior category. A total of 10 medal rounds will be played until December with top 40 players in nett, 10 in gross and five in junior categories making it to the Club Championship finals which will be played over two rounds in January and February next year.