By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Nepal No 1 pro-Sukra Bahadur Rai took one shot lead after the first round of the Surya Nepal Central Open, the fifth event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23, at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club on Tuesday.
Sukra carded seven-under 65 on the first day of the 72-hole tournament. He is one stroke ahead of home club pro Bhuvan Nagarkoti, who carded a bogey-free six-under 66. Jayram Shrestha is in third place with a score of four under 68, while Niraj Tamang is fourth at one under 71.
Sanjay Lama and Bal Bhadra Rai share the fifth position at even-par 72 with amateurs Subash Tamang and Sadbhav Acharya. Another amateur golfer, Capt. Norbu Sherpa was tied at ninth with pros Shivaram Poudel with a score of one-over 73.
Likewise, three pros Ramesh Adhikari, Rame Magar, and Dinesh Prajapati shared the 11th position at two-over 74 along with amateurs Nischaya Jung Rayamajhi and Yubraj Bhujel.
Leader Sukra played two-under 34 on the front nine and carded five-under 31 on the back nine. He started the day with an eagle on the par-4 first hole and carded a birdie on the third before facing a bogey on the sixth hole. After taking the turn, Dharan’s Sukra carded five birdies on the 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, and 18th holes.
Bhuvan carded six-under 30 on the front nine and played even-par 36 on the back nine. He made a flying start with three straight birdies on the first, second, and third holes before adding another on the fifth hole. He then sank an eagle on the seventh to take the turn at an impressive six-under 30. After taking the turn, Bhuvan saved pars on all nine holes.
Third-placed Jayram carded two-under 34 on both halves. On the front nine, he carded three birdies on the second, third, and seventh holes and dropped a shot on the fourth hole. After the turn, Jayram carded birdies on the 14th and 15th holes and saved pars on seven other holes.
In the amateur section, Sadbhav and Subash shared the lead at even-par 72 after both golfers carded one-under 35 on the front nine and played one-over 37 on the back nine. Capt Norbu Sherpa is third at one-over 73.
Cut will be applied after 36 holes. The top 21 pros and ties along with the six best amateurs and those who survive the pro cut will make it to the final two rounds. A total of 40 golfers – 31 pros and nine amateurs – are taking part in the tournament organized by the Professional Golfers Association Nepal under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. The event carries a total cash purse of Rs 800,000. The winner of the event will bag Rs 140000, the runner-up will earn Rs 90,000, the third-placed pro will get Rs 67000, the fourth-place will receive Rs 55,000 and the fifth place will take home Rs 47,000.
