POKHARA, January 14: Suman Rai of Dharan and Ramesh Nagarkoti of RNGC shared the lead after the first day of the Surya Nepal Western Open at the par-70 Himalayan Golf Course in Pokhara on Tuesday. Suman and Ramesh carded two-over 72 to share the lead in the sixth event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2013-14. CB Bhandari shot three-over 73 to stay third, while Surya Prasad Sharma is fourth at 74. Ram Thapa, Ram Krishna Shrestha and defending champion Shiva Ram Shrestha shared the fifth position at five-over 75.
Likewise, Sanjay Lama is eighth at 76, while Rabi Khadka and Deepak Thapa Magar shared the ninth position at eight-over 78. In amateur section, Sanjeev CK is on top with the score of three-over 73, while Shiva Raj Majhi is second at 76 and Sonam Bhujel is third at 78. Nepal No 1 amateur player Dinesh Prajapati played a round of 10-over 80, one shot behind Bikash Bogati and Arun Tamang.
Suman took the turn at three-over 38 before carding one-under 34 on the back nine, while Ramesh played six-over 41 on the front nine and shot four-under 31 on the back nine. Suman faced a bogey and a double bogey in his front nine. On the back nine, Suman carded a birdie on the 10th hole. Ramesh suffered bogeys on the third, fifth and eighth holes and a double bogey on the seventh hole on the front nine. On the back nine, Ramesh carded birdies on the 10th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th holes against a bogey on the 11th hole.
CB Bhandari took the turn at two-over 37 and added one-over 36 on the back nine, while Surya played two-over 37 on both the halves. A total of 43 players – 26 pros and 17 amateurs – are taking part in the tournament organised by Nepal PGA under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. After the four-day main event, the Pro-Am tournament will be held on Saturday.
The prize purse for the event has been raised this year to Rs 514,250. The top three pros will receive Rs 95,000, Rs 60,000, and Rs 44,000 respectively. Cut will be applied after the second round with top 21 pros and amateurs making it to the final two rounds.