Top pro Shrestha closes in on title

Kathmandu, October 11

Top pro Shivaram Shrestha carded third straight five-under 63 to open up a comprehensive lead after the third round of the Ghanashyam’s Professional Golden Jubilee Golf Championship here today.

The Royal Nepal Golf Club pro posted a total of 15-under 189 to extend his lead to eight strokes over his elder brother Jayaram Shrestha and Bhuvan Nagarkoti in the first event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2017-18.

Jayaram carded even-par 68, while Nagarkoti fired a 66 to share the second position at seven-under 197. Shivaram carded three-under 31 on the front nine and added two-under 32 on the latter half.

In the bogey-free front nine, Shivaram sank an on par-5 fourth hole and added a birdie on the eighth. He then carded birdies on 10th, 11th and 13th holes before facing the lone bogey of the day on the 16th.

Jayaram carded five birdies but faced bogeys on as many holes. He  took the turn at one-over 35 that included birdies on the second and sixth holes and bogeys on the third, seventh and ninth. He carded one-under 33 on the back nine where he had birdies on 10th, 11th and 13th holes and bogeys on the 16th and 18th.

Gokarna Golf Club pro Nagarkoti played even-par 34 on the front nine before carding two-under 32 on the latter half.

The first-round leader carded birdies on the first and eighth against bogeys on the seventh and ninth holes. He the carded birdies on 10th and 13th holes.

Rame Magar (66) was fourth at three-under 201, while Surya Prasad Sharma (68) was next at two-under 202. Dinesh Prajapati moved to sixth with the score of one-under 203 after he carded a 66.

Sanjay Lama slipped down to seventh at even-par 204 after played two-over 70, followed by veteran pro Deepak Magar who played one-over 69 for a total of three-over 207. Rabi Khadka was ninth at 201 after he carded even-par 68, followed by Bhuwan Kumar Rokka (71) at 211.

In amateur section, Mithun Rai moved to the top after he shot two-over 70 for a total of 10-over 214. He opened up two-stroke lead over overnight leader Pratima Sherpa, who faltered to five-over 73. Subash Ghising was a distant third at 19-over 223.

A total of 39 players, 32 pros and seven amateurs, are taking part in the 72-hole tournament sponsored by Nepal’s first professional golfer Ghana Shyam Thapa to mark is 50 years in professional golf. Out of the total cash purse of Rs 500,000, top three pros will receive Rs 85,000, Rs 58,000 and Rs 45,000 respectively.