POKHARA, February 10: Shivaram Shrestha won the 17th Surya Nepal Western Open at the par-70 Himalayan Golf Course in Pokhara on Friday.
Shivaram carded six-under 64 to post a total score of nine-under 201 in the third event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2016-17. He registered a nine-shot victory against Bhuwan Nagarkoti.
Shivaram broke two records in the process. He bettered his previous course record of five-under by one shot and broke Dhana Thapa’s record of five-under winning total in 54-hole competition. The title is Shivaram’s 33rd major trophy. He earned the cheque of Rs 110,000 along with the trophy.
Bhuwan finished second with the total score of even-par 210 after he carded two-undet 68 in the final round. Bhuwan earned Rs 70,000. Defending champion Dhana Bahadur Thapa played one-over 71 to finish third at two-over 212 and got Rs 50,000. Deepak Magar (72) and Rabi Khadka (69) shared the fourth position at 216. They received Rs 37,500 each.
Sanjay Lama, Surya Prasad Sharma, Pashupati Sharma, Bhu Bahadur Gurung and Bal Bhadra Rai finished in top 10. Kamal Tamang won the amateur section title with the total score of 11-over 221 after he posted four-over 74, while Yub Raj Bhujel was second in count back after he was tied with Mithun Rai at 234. Both Yub Raj and Mithun played nine-over 79 on final day.
Shivaram began the day with four-shot advantage over Dhana, who cut the deficit to three strokes with a one-under 34 on the front nine after Shivaram played even-par 35. Shivaram fired six-under 29 on the back nine, while Dhana slipped to third after he played two-over 37 on the back nine. Bhuwan sneaked into second place with 36 and 32 on two halves.
Shivaram carded a birdie on the fourth and dropped a shot on the ninth before taking the turn. On the back nine, Shivaram carded six birdies on Hole No 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18. Bhuwan dropped a shot on the ninth after saving pars on the first eight holes, while he sank an eagle on the 15th hole and carded birdies on the 11th and 17th holes. He faced a bogey on the 12th hole. Dhana carded birdies on the third, eighth, 15th and 18th holes against bogeys on the ninth, 10th and 12th holes and a double bogey on the 11th hole.
A total of 41 players took part in the tournament organised by Nepal PGA under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. Marketing Manager of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Bal Kishan Gurung, President of Nepal PGA Rabindra Man Shrestha, President of Nepal Golf Association Madhukar Yakthumba, Director of Himalayan Golf Course Kiran KC handed over the prizes to the winners. The tournament will end with the pro-am on Saturday.