Pokhara, January 29

Dhana Bahadur Thapa claimed the second major title when he won the Surya Nepal Western Open here at the Himalayan golf Course today.

The Tribhuvan Army Officers Golf Club pro defeated Nepal No 1 golfer Shivaram Shrestha by one shot to win the fourth event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2015-16. Thapa had won the Ghanashyam Open for his maiden crown in 2011 at his home course.

Thapa carded four-under 66 for a total score of five-under 205 in the 54-hole competition at the par-70 course in Pokhara, while RNGC pro Shrestha shot two-under 68 to finish second. Overnight leader Bhuwan Nagarkoti of Gokarna Golf Club faltered to one-over 71 to slip down to third at two-under 208. Out of the total cash purse of Rs 540,750, the top three pros received Rs 100,000, Rs 63,000 and Rs 45,000 respectively.

Thapa, who began the day from third position two strokes off the leader, carded three-under 32 on the front nine to be level with Nagarkoti, who shot one-under 34. Shrestha was three shots off the pace with final nine holes remaining after he shot one-over 36. Thapa took sole lead on the 10th hole with a birdie after Nagarkoti suffered a bogey, while Shrestha remained in contention with a birdie.

Thapa went four clear after both Nagarkoti and Shrestha dropped shots on the next hole. But Shrestha charged down with back-to-back birdies on the next two holes to reduce the gap to two strokes.

Thapa extended the lead to three with a birdie on the 15th and saved pars on the next two holes to into the final hole with a comfortable lead. Thapa suffered a bogey and Shrestha carded a birdie on the final hole that handed the Army Club pro a one-stroke victory. Thapa carded five birdies — three straight from the sixth on front nine and two more on the 10th and 15th against a lone bogey on the final hole.

Shrestha, whose second-round three-over 73 cost him the title after an impressive five-under 65 on the first day, sank an eagle on the third and carded a birdie on the sixth but he faced a double bogey on the seventh and dropped shots on the fourth and ninth holes. Shrestha carded three birdies on the 10th, 12th and 13th holes against a bogey on the 11th on his back nine.

Thapa’s clubmate Sanja Lama (71) came fourth at even-par 210 and received Rs 38,000, while Surya Prasad Sharma (70) was fifth at five-over 215 that earned him Rs 33,500. Nepal No 2 pro Rabi Khadka shared the sixth position with Bhu Bahadur Gurung at 218, while three pros Pashupati Sharma, Rame Magar and Deepak Magar were tied on eighth at 225.

Kamal Tamang carded one-under 69 to win the amateur section trophy with the total score of 11-over 221, while Tanka Bahadur Karki (73) came second at 225 and Sukra Bahadur Rai (73) was third at 229. In all, 41 golfers — 24 pros and 17 amateurs —took part in tournament. Brand Manager of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Rajat Thapa, Director of Himalayan Golf Course Prakash KC and Nepal PGA vice-president Deepak Thapa Magar gave away prizes to winners. The Pro-Am event of the tournament is slated for Saturday.