KATHMANDU: Ramesh Nagarkoti carded even par 67 to take one shot lead over Krishna Man Rajbahak and Deepak Neupane on the opening day of the NPGA President's Cup 2010 here at the par-67 Royal Nepal Golf Course (RNGC) today.

Rajbahak and Neupane are tied for the second at one-over 68, while Rajan Thapa and CB Bhandari were fourth with the scores of 69 on the day when home club pros claimed the top five positions. Pashupati Sharma of Gokarna Golf Club carded 71, while Sachin Bhattarai and Ram Thapa shot 73. Deepak Thapa Magar, who was forced to play with injury after accidently spilling hot water on to his right leg last night, carded 74 and shared the 10th position with Rabi Khadka.

Rupak Acharya carded three over 70 to take a four-stroke lead over Prasanna Upreti (74) in amateur section. Dinesh Prajapati was a distant third with the score of 79.

Nagarkoti played a sensible round of golf in the course which is regarded as one of the most difficult ones in the Valley, especially the greens. He started the day with a bogey and saved pars on the next eight holes to take a turn at one-over 34. He dropped a shot on the 11th before carding birdies on the 13th and 16th holes. "Playing an even par round on this course is good as the greens and pin positions are difficult," said Nagarkoti. "I will try to maintain the lead over the next two days and win the tournament," added Nagarkoti.

Rajbahak, who carded two-over 35 on the front nine without a single birdie, had an eventful back nine, where he shot five birdies. After dropping a shot on the 10th and saving pars on the next two holes, Krishna Man carded three straight birdies from 13th before firing a triple bogey on the par-4 16th. He then shot two more birdies for a back nine score of one-under 33.

Deepak Neupane, who had the best card of the front nine at one-under 32 including three birdies and two bogeys, had two-over 36 on the back. Deepak Acharya, Raj Pradhan and Krishna Hari Mizar finished the first day with the score of eight-over 75, while three others -- Surya Prasad Sharma, Ram Krishna Shrestha and Dhana Thapa -- are one shot behind at 76.

In all 22 pros and 11 amateur golfers are taking part in the fifth event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2009-10. The three-day tournament is sponsored by the President of Nepal Professional Golfers Association (NPGA) Rabindra Man Shrestha. Out of the total prize money of Rs 200,000, the winner will receive Rs. 44,000.