Pokhara, 09 February/Nepal number one professional Shiva Ram Shrestha has surged up the leader board after the second day of Surya Nepal Western Open, the third event of Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2016-17. He carded three-under 67 to take four-strokes lead over defending champion Dhana Thapa at three-under 137 here at the Himalayan Golf Course today.
Dhana carded one-over 71 for a total of one-over 141. Bhuwan Nagarkoti is lying third at two-over 142 after carding a round of two-over 72 today. Sanjay Lama scored two-under 68 for a total of three-over 143 to be on the fourth place after second day. Deepak Magar turned in even-par 70 for a total of four-over 144, he is lying fifth. Local pro, Bhu Bahadur Gurung scored another three-over 73 today for a total of six-over 146, he is currently at sixth position.
Amateur Kamal Tamang socred a round of three-over 73 today to lead the amateur pack and seventh overall with a total score of seven-over 147 along with overnight leader Rabi Khadka, who had a disastrous day scoring eight-over 78. Surya Prasad Sharma carded one-under 69 today for a total of eight-over 148 to be in the ninth place. Jayaram Shrestha (70) and Bal Bhadra Rai (75) are inside top 10 at nine-over 149.
Amateurs Mithun Rai (79) and Yubraj Bhujel (77) are eight shots behind leader Kamal Tamang at 15-over 155. Shiva Ram, the leader scored even-par 35 on the front nine, he made birdies on third and ninth holes and dropped shot on fifth and eighth holes. On the back nine he made birdies on 10th, 12th, 15th and 17th holes but made bogey on last hole for three-under 32.
Dhana scored even-par 35 on the first nine with a birdie on fifth hole against bogey on the sixth hole. On the back nine, he made birdies on 10th and 15th holes but made bogey on 16th hole and double-bogey on 18th hole for one-over 36.
Bhuwan scored two-over 37 on the front nine making sole birdie on fourth hole against bogeys on third, eighth and ninth holes. On the back nine, he made birdies on 10th and 15th holes but dropped shot on 12th and 13th holes for even-par 35.
Sanjay carded birdies on third and sixth holes against bogeys on fifth and seventh holes for even-par 35 on the first half. He scored two-under 33 on the second half with the help of birdies on 10th and 16th holes.
Deepak Magar scored even-par 35 on the front nine with birdies on first and third holes against bogeys on second and seventh holes. On the back nine, he scored birdies on 14th and 15th holes but dropped shot on 13th and 17thholes for even-par 35.
27 players survived the cut including six amateurs, who will pay the final 18-holes tomorrow. A total of 41 golfers 28 pros and 13 amateurs are taking part in the tournament organized by Nepal Professional Golfers Association under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. The total cash purse of the tournament is Rs 600,000. The top three pros will receive Rs 110,000, Rs 70,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively.