By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Nepal No.1 Amateur Golfer Subash Tamang defended the title of Surya Nepal NPGA Tour Championship, the seventh event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23, at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club on Thursday.
The 13th South Asian Games double gold medallist, defending champion Subash carded three-under 69 in the final round for a total score of 13-under 275. He recorded a four-stroke victory over pro-Sanjay Lama to win the fourth major title. He also claimed the amateur section title with a 13-stroke victory over fellow national team member Sadbhav Acharya.
Sanjay carded one under 71 for a total score of nine under 279 and he received a cheque of Rs 140,000. Niraj Tamang and Jayram Shrestha finished joint second among pros with a total score of four-under 284. They earned Rs 78,500 each. Niraj carded two under 70 and Jayram carded six under 66 in the final round.
Top pros Bhuvan Nagarkoti and Ramesh Adhikari shared the fourth position among pros at two-under 286 and they received Rs 51,000 each. Bhuvan played three-over 75, while Ramesh carded four-under 68. Rabi Khadka faltered to seven-over 78 and finished sixth at even-par 288, tied with amateur Sadbhav, who played second straight four-over 76. Rabi earned Rs 40,500.
Kamal Tamang and Toran Bikram Shahi were tied for seventh at four over 292 and they earned Rs 35,500 each. Kamal played three-over 75, while Toran carded even-par 72. Bal Bhadra Rai played two-over 74 to finish ninth at 296 and earned Rs 32,000, whereas Bhu Bahadur Gurung (79) finished 10th at 298 and he got Rs 30,000.
Subash carded three-under 33 on the front and played an even-par 36 on the back nine. After dropping a shot on the second hole, Subash carded birdies on the third, fifth, sixth, and eighth holes. After taking the turn, Subash suffered a double bogey on the 15th and bogey on the 18th hole against birdies on the 11th, 12th, and 14th holes.
Pro Lama carded one-under 35 on the front nine and played even-par 36 on the back nine. After carding birdies on the third and fourth holes, Sanjay faced a bogey on the seventh hole. He then dropped a shot on the 10th and 16th holes against birdies on the 11th and 14th holes.
Niraj played two-over 38 on the front nine and carded four-under 32 on the back nine. Niraj carded birdies on the third and fourth holes and he faced double bogeys on the sixth and seventh holes. After taking the turn, he carded birdies on the 10th and 11th holes and sank an eagle on the 12th hole. Jayram carded a bogey-free round with the help of birdies on the third, fourth, ninth, and 12th holes and an eagle on the 15th hole.
A total of 40 golfers, 31 pros and nine amateurs, took part in the tournament organized by Nepal PGA under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. The event carries a cash purse of Rs 800,000. Brand Manager of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Bidur Raj Adhikari, PGA Nepal President Rabindra Man Shrestha and senior golfer Gita Gurung handed over prizes to the winners of the tournament.
