Lalitpur, September 17

Former top amateur Bikash Bogati earned the pro card in his second attempt after he won the Surya Nepal Golf Tour Qualifying School here at the Royal Nepal Golf Club today.

Bogati, who began the day two shots behind Maj Nischaya Jung Rayamajhi, bounced back to finish atop the standing with the total score of nine-over 210 at the par-67 course. Bogati played two-over 69 on the third and final day. Maj Rayamajhi faltered to eight-over 75 to slip to second on 13-over 214, while Shivaram Paudel was a distant third at 19-over 220.

Only three players were able to earn pro cards as no others could meet the qualifying ceiling of 22-over. The top three players also received Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively. Nepal PGA Advisor Ghana Shyam Thapa handed over the cards and cheques to the players. The Nepal PGA agreed to keep Maj Rayamajhi’s card on hold for now upon the players’ request. Bogati and Paudel will be eligible to take part in the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2015-16 which is beginning with the Central Open on September 28.

Bogati, who had failed to earn the card last year, did it in style this time around. He led the field on the first day, slipped to second after the second round and moved atop on the final day. Bogati shot two-over 35 before taking the turn and carded even-par 34 on the back nine. He saved pars on seven holes except for the sixth and ninth where he dropped a shot each. Bogati carded three birdies on the 11th, 13th and 14th holes but he was undone by the bogeys on the 12th, 15th and 18th holes.

Overnight leader Rayamajhi faltered to four-over 37 on the front nine where he faced a double bogey on the ninth hole after he had dropped shots on the first and sixth holes. The back nine was not different for Rayamajhi as he returned with four-over 38. He suffered a double bogey on the 11th and dropped a shot each on last three holes against a lone birdie on the 13th hole.

Third-placed Shivaram played two-over 36 on the front nine and shot three-over 37 on the back nine. Dinesh Nagarkoti was unlucky as he missed the cut by one stroke after he shot six-over 73 for a total score of 23-over 224. A total of 12 players participated in the three-day tournament organised by Nepal PGA under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd.