Kathmandu, December 18:

Sachin Bhattarai carded one under 66 for the first-day lead at the CMS All Nepal Open Golf Tournament here at the RNGC.

Pashupati Sharma, with even par 67, and Deepak Neupane, at one over 68, are second and third. Ramesh Nagarkoti and Sabin Sapkota both carded three over 70 and are joint fourth, while Nepal’s top pro Deepak Acharya slipped to eighth with a total of six over 73. Among the amateurs, Dorji T Sherpa led the chart with one over 68, ahead of Shiva Ram Sherstha and Surya Sharma, who both had rounds of five over 72.

Bhattarai started the day with a bogey in the first hole, then birdied the second, fourth and fifth holes before dropping a shot at ninth. In the back nine, he had a bogey in the 12th, but managed a birdie at the 13th for an even par 34.

In all, 31 golfers — 16 professionals and 15 amateurs — are taking part in the event, organised by the College of Medical Sciences — Teaching Hospital under the sponsorship of ISME Pvt Ltd. Earlier, Nagender K Pampati, MD of the college inaugurated the tournament.