KATHMANDU: The Surya Nepal Western Open, third event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2009, tees off at the Himalayan Golf Course in Pokhara Saturday.

The first day will witness the amateurs teaming up with the professional golfers for the Pro-Am event. The last three days will see the top pros vying for the championship played over the 54 holes. All the professional and top amateur golfers have already reached Pokhara so as to acclimatise with the playing conditions there. The pros as well as few amateurs also had a round of golf before the tournament kicks off Saturday.

The prize money of the tournament has been raised this year to Rs 350,000. The winner alone takes home Rs 72,000 while the runner up gets Rs 46000 and

third-placed golfer assured of Rs 36,000. Others in the top 20 will also receive their share of cash prizes, while rest will get consolation awards.

Defending champion Mani Rai will be joined by top professional Shiva Ram Shrestha, Deepak Thapa Magar, Deepak Acharya, Sabin Sapkota Pashupati Sharma, Rabi Khadka and Ramesh Nagarkoti. Top amateur Rupak Acharya, Tashi Ghale and Tashi Tshering are going to rub their shoulders with the pros for the amateur section honour.

A total of 40 golfers — 25 pros and 15 amateurs with below nine handicap — will take part in the main event and 72 players will be in for the Pro-Am. Nepal Professional Golfers Association is organising the event sponsored by Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd.