Kathmandu, September 16

Maj Nischaya Jung Rayamajhi carded one-over 68 to move on top of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour Qualifying School standing after the second round here at the par-67 Royal Nepal Golf Club today.

Rayamajhi, who was two strokes behind Bikash Bogati on first day, opened up two strokes lead with the 36-hole total of five-over 139. The former top amateur golfer Bogati slipped to second at 141 after he faltered to five-over 72 today. Shivaram Poudel (72) was a distant third at 13-over 147.

Maj Rayamajhi began the day with a bogey and added two more on the sixth and ninth holes to take the turn at three-over 36. Rayamajhi then carded three birdies on the 10th, 14th and 15th holes before facing a bogey on the 17th holes to finish the back nine at two-under 32.

Overnight leader Bogati, who was two strokes ahead after first day, played three-over 36 on the front nine and added two-over 36 on the back nine. He dropped shots on the third, fourth and ninth holes before taking the turn, while he added three more bogeys on the 10th, 13th and 15th holes and carded a lone birdie on the 12th hole.

Poudel shot three-over 36 on the front nine that included a double bogey on the third, bogeys on the seventh and eighth against a lone birdie on the sixth hole. He dropped shots on the 11th, 12th and 14th holes and carded a birdie on the 13th on his way to two-over 36 on the back nine.

Dinesh Nagarkoti was fourth at 17-over 151, while Kishan Kaliraj (71) was fifth at 152, followed by Dal Lama (154), Krishna Murari Sapkota (159), Sanyog Shahi (166), Balaram Chaulagain (175) and Binayak Basnet (175). A total of 12 amateur golfers are taking part in the tournament organised by Nepal PGA under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. Top five players – with the ceiling of 22-over – will earn pro cards and they will be eligible to participate in the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2015-16 season.