Kathmandu, September 6

Sukra Bahadur Rai opened the Surya Nepal Golf Tour NPGA Qualifying School campaign with a round of even-par 68 here at the Royal Nepal Golf Club today.

The top amateur golfer took a four-stroke lead over Tanka Bahadur Karki, who shot four-over 72. Kamal Tamang was third at six-over 74, while veteran golfer Tashi Ghale and Sandip Tamang shared the fourth position at seven-over 75. Likewise, Bipin Tamang and Shiva Kumar Majhi were joint sixth at eight-over 76, whereas Mikal Rai and Dhruba Thapa shot 10-over 78 to share the eight position. Top women golfer Pratima Sherpa had a disastrous round as she faltered to 11-over 79.

Leader Rai played one-over 35 on the front nine and carded one-under 33 after taking the turn. Rai dropped shots on the first and fouth holes before carding a birdie on the ninth to wrap front nine. Rai began the back nine with a birdie before facing a bogey on the 12th. But he added another birdie on 13th to finish at one-under 33.

Karki played three-over 37 before taking the turn and added one-over 35 on the back nine. Karki carded a birdie on the second hole but went on to drop shots on the fourth, seventh, eighth and ninth holes. After hitting two straight bogeys on the 10th and 11th holes, Rai carded a birdie on the next before saving pars on six other holes.

Third-placed Tamang carded one-over 35 on the front nine that included a bogey on the sixth hole. He then shot four bogeys and a double bogey against a birdie to falter to five-over 39 on the latter half.

A total of 22 golfers are taking part in the three-day tournament organised by Nepal PGA under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd.

Top five players within the total score of 15-over after the 54-hole competition will earn pro card and they will be eligible to participate in the 2017-18 season Surya Nepal Golf Tour. Top three golfers will also earn Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively.