Pokhara, November 28:

Mani Rai shot six-over 79 to clinch his first major trophy, bouncing back to win the Surya Nepal Western Open here at the Himalayan Golf Course today.

Playing in the last group of the day, Rai outscored overnight leader Ramesh Nagarkoti and Sanjay Lama for a total score of nine-over 155. Pashupati Sharma was unlucky again as the Gokarna pro finished second for the fourth time here.

Sharma, who was joint fourth after the first round at five-over 78, carded six-over 79 for a total of 157.

The winner of the previous three events under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour, Shiva Ram Shrestha finished third with 13-over 159, while CB Bhandari brought in the best card of the day (five-over 78) to finish fourth at 161.

Three players — Sanjay Lama, Deepak Acharya and Surya Sharma — were tied for fifth at 162, while Nagarkoti and Deepak Thapa Magar finished joint eighth at 163. Jaya Ram Shrestha finished 10th with 164, while Bijesh Shahi, Rabi Khadka, Ram Krishna Shrestha, Sachin Bhattarai and Deepak Neupane completed the top 15.

Out of the total purse of Rs 300,000, Rai received Rs 65,000, while Sharma earned Rs 40,000 and Shiva Ram got Rs 32,500. Fourth-placed CB Bhandari received Rs 29,000. Other golfers in the top 15 also got their share of cash prize. “I am very happy to win the first major title of my career,” said Rai, who was behind Sanjay Lama after the first seven holes. “I was mentally strong today and kept it cool even after I fell behind,” he added.

The Dharan pro had a double bogey on the par-4 third and bogeys on the fourth, fifth and ninth holes against three birdies on the front nine for a score of two-over 39 and one-stroke lead over Sanjay Lama. On the back nine, Rai hit just one birdie against three bogeys and a double bogey.

Rai surged into the lead after he shot two-over 39 on the front nine and Nagarkoti dropped 11 shots on the front nine. Sanjay Lama was in contention after the front nine score of 39 but dropped seven shots on five holes on the back nine.

Pashupati Sharma carded two-over 39 on the front nine but dropped three shots

on the last hole which cost him the title. A par-putt at the par-4 18th would have

given him the championship. “The luck was against me in both the rounds,” said Sharma, the 2002 Western Open winner. Prasanna Upreti carded 20-over 166 to win the amateur section championship ahead of Dhana Thapa, who finished just one stroke behind at 167.

The Pro-Am event will be held on Saturday, while the match-play friendly between the Kathmandu Team and Pokhara Team is scheduled for Sunday.