Pokhara, November 27:

Ramesh Nagarkoti carded two-over 75 to take one-stroke lead over Mani Rai on a day that turned out to be a disaster for the pros at the Surya Nepal Western Open here at the Himalayan Golf Course today.

Nagarkoti started with a par on the first two holes and sank a birdie on the third but the former teaching pro at the Himalayan Golf Course went wayward on the par-5 fourth where he dropped two shots. A bogey on the next hole put Nagarkoti on the back foot.

But the two-time Western Open winner (1999, 2002) bounced back with two consecutive birdies and par putts on the last two holes kept him in contention at even-par front nine. Nagarkoti dropped just two shots on the back nine to finish the day at two over.

The Royal Nepal Golf Club pro Nagarkoti said the chip putt was the key of the first day success. "I have not been able to hit it hard

and long due to the problem with the right knee, but the putting went right on the first day," he said. Nagarkoti was confident of faring well on the second day as well. Nagarkoti hit two bogeys and seven par putts on the back nine.

Dharan pro Mani Rai was one shot adrift at three-over 76. Rai hit three bogeys against two birdies on the front nine, while his two-over on the back nine included three bogeys and a birdie. Sanjay Lama carded four-over 77 for the third position. Lama carded two-over 39 on the front nine and ended up with two-over 38 on the back. Lama finished the day without a single birdie but still managed to stay two strokes behind the leader.

Gokarna pros Deepak Acharya and Pashupati Sharma along with Jaya Ram Shrestha were tied for fourth with five-over 78. Bijesh Shahi carded 11-over 84, while the Surya Nepal Master 2007 champion Deepak Thapa Magar returned with eight-over 81.

Shiva Ram, winner of the previous three events under the tour, had a forgettable day with four bogeys against a lone birdie on the front nine. He was four-over after the 17th, but dropped three more shots on par-4 18th. Despite the first day mess, Shiva Ram was confident of bouncing back tomorrow.

In Amateur section, Prakash Neupane and Prasanna Upreti shared the lead after the first day at seven-over 80. Dhana Thapa is third with 82, while top amateur Tashi Ghale is fourth along with Pushkar Rajbahak at 84.