Kathmandu, September 19:

Fakhre Shah accumulated 40 points to take the lead on the first day of the Carlsberg Golf Classic 2008 here at the Royal Nepal Golf Course today.

Playing with 18 handicap, Shah scored 23 on the front nine and 17 on the back. Kanchan Basnyat, who earned 38 points, and Lt Gen C B Gurung, who scored 36 points, are second and third respectively.

Playing with 18 handicap, Basnyat scored 16 on the first nine holes but came back strongly on the back nine to score 22 points. Gurung, who played with a handicap allowance of 13, was consistent in his play scoring 18 points in either half.

A total of 46 golfers completed their rounds on the first day, while 60 golfers are expected to play their rounds on Saturday.

The winner of the tournament will get an opportunity to participate in the Macau Open 2008 Pro-Am Tournament in an all-expense-paid trip from Gorkha Brewery, the makers of Carlsberg beer.