Kathmandu, October 10

Top pro Shivaram Shrestha extended the lead to 10 strokes after the penultimate round of the Surya Nepal Central Open here at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club today.

Defending champion Shrestha carded three-under 69 in the third round to post the 54-hole total of 12-under 204. The RNGC pro was 10 strokes ahead of home club pro Bhuwan Nagarkoti, who played even-par 72 for the total score of two-under 214. Shrestha took the turn at three-under 33 and played even-par 36 on the back nine. He carded birdies on the second, third and sixth holes in the bogey-free front nine. On the back nine, Shrestha sank an eagle on the par-5 12th hole before facing bogeys on the 13th and 17th holes.

Home club pro Nagarkoti played even-par 36 on both the halves. He carded birdies on the third and fifth holes before facing bogeys on the seventh and eighth. On the back nine, Nagarkoti faced bogeys on the 11th and 16th holes against birdies on the 12th and 13th holes.

Amateur golfer Tashi Tshiring shot two-over 74 for the total score of 216 and slipped to third position overall. Among amateurs, Tshiring was five strokes ahead of his brother Wangchen Dhondup, who played four-over 76 for five-over 221. Army club pro Dhana Thapa (75) was fourth at two-over 218.

Amateur Binod Tamang produced the best card of the event, carding six-under 66 to share the sixth position with Rabi Khadka (73) at eight-over 224. Chuda Bahadur Bhandari and amateur Suni Khadka shared the eighth position at nine-over 225, while Ram Krishna Shrestha (72) and Rame Magar (75) shared the 10th position.

Amateur Tamang carded five birdies and sank an eagle in his round. He played two-under 34 on the front nine that included an eagle on the third and a birdie on the seventh before facing a bogey on the eighth. On the bogey-free back nine, Tamang carded four birdies on the 11th, 12th, 17th and 18th holes.

The first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2018-19 carries a cash purse of Rs 661,500. Top three pros will earn Rs 120,000, Rs 77,000 and Rs 55,000 respectively.