Kathmandu, September 15

Former Nepal No 1 amateur golfer Bikash Bogati carded two-over 69 to remain at the top of the standing after the first round of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour Qualifying School here at the par-67 Royal Nepal Golf Club today.

Maj Nischaya Rayamajhi was second at four-over 71, while Shivaram Poudel was a distant third at eight-over 75. Dinesh Nagarkoti was fourth at nine-over 76, whereas Murari Sapkota was next at 77. Dal Lama, Rohit Acharya, Kishan Kaliraj and Samyog Shahi shared the sixth position with the matching score of 14-over 81.

Bogati made a mediocre start saving pars on the first five holes before carding a birdie on the sixth. After saving par in the seventh, Bogati faced bogeys on the next two holes to take the turn at one-over 34. Bogati played cautiously on the back nine and saved pars on the first three holes. He carded a birdie on the 13th hole before suffering bogeys on the next two holes and added another on the final hole to finish the back nine on one-over 35.

Rayamajhi faced bogeys on the fourth and ninth holes to finish the front nine on two-over 35, while he carded a birdie on the 12th before dropping shots on the 13th, 15th and 18th holes for two-over 36 on the back nine. Likewise, Poudel shot one-over 34 on the front nine before faltering to seven-over 41 on the latter half.

A total of 12 amateur golfers are taking part in the 54-hole tournament. A maximum of five players — within the ceiling score of 22-over —will earn pro card and they will be eligible to participate in the Surya Nepal Golf Tour events.