KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 29: Defending champion Ram Thapa and Umesh Nagarkoti shared the lead after the first round of the Surya Nepal Challenge, the fourth event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2013-14, at the Royal Nepal Golf Club on Tuesday.
Ram of RNGC and Umesh from Gokarna Golf Club carded one-under 66 at the par-67 course to share the lead. Army pro Dhana Thapa, Purna Sharma and RNGC’s Shiva Ram Shrestha were tied for third at even-par 67.
Yelamber Singh Adhikari and Rabi Khadka shared the sixth position at one-over 68, while three pros, Bikash Adhikari, CB Bhandari and Jaya Ram Shrestha were tied for eighth with the score of two-over 69. Suman Rai of Dharan was alone at 11th with the score of 71. Three amateurs, Neeraj SJB Rana, Bikash Bogati and Tanka Bahadur Karki carded four-over 71 to share the lead. Shiva Raj Majhi was fourth at 74, one ahead of Mithun Rai.Defending champion Ram carded one-under 32 on the front nine that included birdies on the fourth and eighth holes against a bogey on the second hole. He then played even-par 34 on the back nine. Ram dropped shots on the 14th and 15th holes before carding consecutive birdies on the final two holes.
Like Ram, Umesh also played 32 and 34 on two halves. On the front nine, Umesh carded a birdie on the fourth hole and saved par on other eight holes. After taking the turn, Umesh faced bogeys on the 12th and 13th holes before carding birdies on the 15th and 17th holes.
Nepal No 1 pro Shiva Ram took the turn at one-under 32 but played one-over 35 on the back nine. He started the day with a bogey on the first hole before carding birdies on the seventh and eighth holes. On the back nine, Shiva Ram carded birdies on the 10th, 13th and 16th holes against double bogeys on the 15th and 18th holes.
A total of 47 players – 33 pros and 14 amateurs — are taking part in the four-day tournament organised by Nepal PGA under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. The cut will be applied after the second day with top 21 pros and amateurs making it to the final two rounds. Out of the total cash purse of Rs 363,000, the top three pros will receive Rs 65,000, Rs 42,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively.