Kathmandu, March 29:

Nepali golfers stole the show with four locals figuring in the top five at the mid-way stage of the Surya Nepal Masters 2007 here today.

Deepak Thapa Magar shot his second straight under-par round, a three-under 69 which handed him a four-stroke lead over the field at five-under 139.

Sabin Sapkota was second at one-under 143 and Deepak Acharya third at 144. The duo of Deepak Neupane and Faridil Atras were tied for fourth place at 145. Feroz Ali, local Ramesh Nagarkoti and overnight leader Suleiman Ali were tied sixth at 146.

Magar has been a revelation this week. The RNGC pro, who shot a two under 70 on Wednesday, began with a birdie on the 10th. On the very next hole his four-iron found the jungle costing him a shot in the bargain.

Magar made up with a birdie on the 15th but the highlight of his round was a brilliant eagle on the 18th.

Sapkota’s round was a roller-coaster ride. The 28-year-old began with birdies on the first, third and fifth and an eagle on the seventh. A bogey on the eighth later, he made the turn at four-under. Disaster struck on his back nine with a triple bogey on the 10th. Sapkota eagled the 12th, but double bogeyed the 14th and bogeyed the 15th for an even-par 72.

Acharya’s round began on the tenth tee. He hit a nine-iron which placed the ball on the green, 40 feet away from the pin. He drained that putt with a spectacular display of judgment. Acharya carded two double bogeys on the 13th and 15th. Three over in the first nine, Acharya recovered with birdies on the third, fourth and seventh before dropping another shot on the eighth. A birdie finish to his round handed him his second straight card of 72.

Meanwhile, Parnita Garewal created history of sorts by making the cut in her first ever professional tournament. Parnita is the first ever lady golfer to compete in a men’s professional golf tournament in Asia. She is tied for 44th at a score of 165.

Amateur Tashi Ghale and Ravi Khadka tied for the lead among the amateurs at five-over 149. Ghale shot a 76 today, while Khadka shot a 75.