Kathmandu, November 26

Surya Nepal Challenge, the third event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2017-18, is teeing off here at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Monday.

A total of 40 golfers — 30 pros and 10 amateurs — will take part in the 72-hole tournament that carries a purse of Rs 420,000, informed the Nepal PGA in a release. Cut will be applied after second round with top 21 pros and at least six amateurs making it to the final two rounds.

Out of the cash purse, the winner will be richer by Rs 80,000, while the runner-up will get Rs 50,000. The third placed pro will take home Rs 35,000, while others who make the cut will also get their share of cash prizes. The amateur players will get trophies.

Nepal No 1 pro Shivaram Shrestha heads the field that includes Sanjay Lama, Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Rabi Khadka and Ram Thapa among others. Shrestha will be looking for a hat-trick after winning the first two events of the season — Ghana Shyam’s Professional Golden Jubilee Golf Championship and Surya Nepal Central Open.

Nepal PGA President Rabindra Man Shrestha was satisfied with the professional golfers’ performance in the current season. “So far the performance from professional golfers has been fantastic and I personally look forward to low scoring rounds this week,” he said, thanking the Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd for their generous support to the sport. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the sponsor Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd for the incessant support towards the development of the game.”