Kathmandu, January 11:

Deepak Thapa Magar carded three-under 69 for a two-stroke lead at the Kailash Tea Open Golf Tournament here at the Le Meridien Gokarna Forest Golf Resort and Spa today.

After the rounds of 72 and 73 on the first two days, Thapa Magar came strongly on the third day.

Thapa Magar, who won the All Nepal Open CMS Cup Golf Tournament recently, did not have a convincing start in the front nine, but he played a superb back nine that put him on top of the leader board.

Thapa Magar’s front nine included two bogeys and a birdie, but he carded four birdies — 12, 14, 15 and 16 — in the bogey free back nine for three under and a total of two-under 214. Toran Shahi was second at even-par 216 after a round of three under, while first two rounds leader Mani Rai, who carded three over 75, slipped to third at two-over 218.

Deepak Acharya, who was at the second position after the first two rounds, finished the day at three-over 75 was fourth at three-over 219. Among amateurs, Rupak Acharya and Rabi Khadka shared the lead at six-over 222 each, while Shiva Ram Shrestha was third at 223.

SCORES AFTER 54 HOLES — PROS: 214 - Deepak Thapa Magar, 216 - Toran Shahi, 218 - Mani Rai, 219 - Deepak Acharya, 223 - Sabin Sapkota, 225 - Pashupati Sharma, 227 - Radheshyam Thapa, 234 - Deepak Neupane, Ramesh Nagarkoti, 236 - Rajan Thapa, 237 - Sachin Bhattarai, 239 - Sukra Raj Limbu. AMATEURS: 222 - Rupak Acharya, Rabi Khadka, 223 - Shiva Ram Shrestha, 233 - Ram Krishna Shrestha, Yelamber Adhikari, Juti Tham, 240 - Tashi Ghale, 247 - Surya Sharma, 257 - Jaya Ram.