Dharan, December 19

Reigning Nepal No 1 pro Shivaram Shrestha shared the lead with Sanjay Lama of Tribhuvan Army Officers Golf Club after the first day of the Surya Nepal Western Open here at the Nirvana Country Club Health and Golf Resort today.

The duo carded three-under 67 at the par-70 course in the first event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2017-18. The Royal Nepal Golf Club pro Shrestha took the turn at two-under 33 and added one-under 34 on the latter half, while Lama played even-par 35 on the front nine and carded three-under 32 on the latter half.

Shrestha opened the day with a bogey and added one more on the fourth hole, while he carded birdies on the third, sixth, seventh and ninth before taking the turn. On the back nine, Shrestha saved pars on the first six holes before finishing the day with birdie-bogey-birdie spree on the last three holes. Lama, meanwhile, made a bright start with an eagle on the second hole but he went on to drop three shots on the next two holes. He managed to take the turn at even-par 35 with a birdie on the ninth. Lama then carded three birdies on the 12th, 14th and 15th holes in the bogey-free back nine.

Another Army Club pro Dhana Thapa was third at even-par 70, while defending champion Bhuwan Nagarkoti was further two shots back at 72. Local pro Sabin Sapkota and RNGC’s Rabi Khadka were tied on fifth along with local amateur Shiva Kumar Majhi at three-over 73, followed by Bal Bhadra Rai and Deo Raj Pakhrin who shot 74 on their home course. Bikash Adhikari and Surya Prasad Sharma were tied on five-over 75 along with amateur golfer Sukra Bahadur Rai.

A total of 56 golfers — 31 pros and 25 amateurs — are taking part in the 54-hole contest organised by Nepal PGA under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. Cut will be applied after the second round with 21 pros and six amateurs making it to the final round. Top three pros will receive Rs 110,000, Rs 70,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively. Others in the top 21 will also receive their share of cash prizes. The tournament will conclude with the Pro-Am event on Thursday.