Dharan – Top-ranked golfer Sukra Bahadur Rai took a four-stroke lead to march in the final round of the Surya Nepal Eastern Open Golf Tournament.
Sukra carded six-under 64 for a total of 10-under 130 to take a four-stroke lead over his townsfolk Niraj Tamang. Overnight leader Niraj carded one under 69 for a total score of six under 134.
Sanjay Lama scored a round of even-par 70 to conclude the second day in third place with a total score of four-under 136. Bhuvan Nagarkoti carded an even-par 70 for a total score of three-under 137 and lies in the fourth position.
Amateur Raj Kumar Rai scored three-under 67 today for a total score of two-under 138 and stands in fifth place. Dhana Bahadur Thapa is in sixth with a total score of one under 139 carding four under 66.
Jayaram Shrestha carded one-over 71 today for a total score of one-over 141 to remain in seventh. Rame Magar who carded a round of even-par 70 is eighth with a total score of two over 142. Dinesh Prajapati and Surya Prasad Sharma both carded one over 71 for a total score of three over 143 to jointly share ninth place.
Amateur Yubaraj Bhujel (71) and Bal Bhadra Rai (72) at four-over 144 and jointly shared the 11th position going into the final round.
Deepak Magar (68), Deepak Acharya (71), Bhuwan Kumar Rokka (71), Amateur Sundar Rai (71), and Amateur Rupendra Gurung (72) remained joint 13th with a total score of five-over 145.
Sukra shot four-under 32 in the first half after carding birdies on the fifth, sixth, seventh, and ninth holes. On the back nine, he sank birdies on the 12th and 15th holes for two-under 32.
Niraj carded two-under 34 on the front nine with birdies on the third, fifth and seventh holes against a bogey on the fourth hole. On the back nine, he dropped a shot on the 13th hole for one-over 35.
Sanjay scored one-over 37 on the front with a lone birdie on the fifth against bogeys on the fourth and seventh holes. On the back nine, he made birdies on the 10th, 15th, and 16th against bogeys on the 11th and 14th holes for one-under 33.
Bhuvan carded one-under 35 on the front nine with birdies on the third, fifth, and ninth holes against bogeys on the first and first, and fourth holes. On the back nine, he dropped shots on the 11th and 15th holes against a lone birdie on the 13th hole for one-over 35.
Amateur Raj Kumar played one-over 37 on the front nine with dropped shots on the first and fourth holes against a birdie on the ninth hole. On the back nine, he made birdies on the 12th, 14th, 16th, 17th, and 18th against a bogey on the 13th hole for four-under 30.
21 professionals and six amateurs survived the cut at 14 over 154. A total of 40 golfers, 29 pros, and 11 amateurs are participating in the 54-hole competition organized by Nepal PGA under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd.
The event carries a cash purse of Rs 800,000 and the top three pros will receive Rs 140,000, Rs 90,000, and Rs 67,000 respectively. Others in the top 21 will also get their share of cash prizes. The tournament will conclude with the Pro-Am event on December 30.