Kathmandu, January 20

Nepali pro Toran Bikram Shahi earned full card of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) for the current season.

Shahi, who lives in Delhi and has been playing in the Indian Tour since 2007, carded one-over 73 on the final day to post the 72-hole total score of 11-over 299 at the Kensville Golf and Country Club in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Shahi had opened the campaign with even-par 72 before faltering to eight-over 80 in the second round. He recovered to post two-over 74 on the third day and carded 73 today. He jumped 16 spots up to share the 23rd position with eight other players.

A total of 38 players — 31 from India, three from Bangladesh, two from South Africa and one each from Nepal, Australia and America — earned full cards for the 2018 season. Shahi, who put himself at risk of missing out for the first time in 10 years after shooting eight-over 80 on the second day, recovered well in the third and final rounds to make the cut. Shahi carded one-under 35 on the front nine before playing two-over 38 on the latter half.

He began the day saving pars on the first two holes before dropping a shot on the third. He bounced back to card birdies on the fifth and ninth holes. Shahi, whose best performance in the PGTI came in 2008 season when he finished fourth in the ONGC Masters at the Noida Golf Course, participated in eight tournaments in 2017 making cut in two events.

Two other Nepali pros, Shivaram Shrestha and Sabin Sapkota missed the cut after the second round. Nepal No 1 Shrestha shot two consecutive eight-over 80, while Sapkota played 82 and 81.

Wasim Khan of India won the tournament with the total score of one-over 289 after he played a round of 73 today, while Australian Kunal Bhasin was second with the score of 290. Digraj Singh Gill (72) of India finished third at 291.