Kathmandu, March 5

Three pros Sanjay Lama, Jayaram Shrestha and Ram Krishna Shrestha carded two-under 66 each to earn the share of lead along with amateur golfer Binod Tamang after the first round of the Surya Nepal Challenge here at the Royal Nepal Golf Club today.

On a day when 15 players broke the par, five pros — defending champion Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Bhuwan Kumar Rokka, Deepak Magar, Bishnu KC and Rame Magar — were tied for fifth at one-under 67 with amateur golfer Subash Tamang. Likewise, four pros Surya Prasad Sharma, Dinesh Prajapati, Pradeep Kumar Lama and Rabi Khadka shared the 11th position along with amateur golfer Rahul BK at even-par 68.

Joint-leader Sanjay Lama sank eagles on either half. Lama began the day with an eagle and added a birdie on the fourth hole to take the turn at three-under 31. Lama earned the second eagle of the round on the 13th hole but dropped shots on the 10th, 15th and 18th holes to finish the back nine at one-over 35.

Jayaram Shrestha recovered on the back nine with three-under 31 after he shot one-over 35 on the front nine. He dropped a shot on the second and earned a birdie on the fourth before facing a bogey on the seventh.

After taking the turn, Shrestha carded birdies on the 11th, 14th and 16th holes. Also, Ram Krishna Shrestha carded birdies on the second and ninth holes to take the turn at two-under 32. On the back nine, Ram Krishna shot even-par 34. He faced a bogey on the 12th and carded a birdie on the 13th hole.

Amateur golfer Binod Tamang carded even-par 34 on the front nine and played two-under 32 on the back nine. Tamang carded birdies on the first and fourth holes against bogeys on the sixth and eighth. After the turn,

Tamang carded three birdies on the 10th, 13th and 17th and in between dropped a shot on the 14th hole.

In all, 42 players are taking part in the sixth event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2018-19. The tournament carries a purse of Rs 441,000 and top three pros will earn 84,000, Rs 53,000 and Rs 37,000 respectively.