KATHMANDU, Nov 1: No 1 pro Shiva Ram Shrestha won the Surya Nepal Challenge, the fourth event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2013-14, at the par-67 Royal Nepal Golf Club (RNGC) in Kathmandu on Friday.
Shrestha of RNGC carded three-under 64 for a total of three-under 265 to claim his 23rd career title, with his clubmate No 2 pro Rabi Khadka finishing one shot behind in second position. Going into the final round with a two-stroke lead, overnight leader Khadka shot even-par 67 on Friday.[break]
Defending champion Ram Thapa of RNGC finished third at even-par 268 after he played a final round of 67.
The top three pros received Rs 66,000, Rs 42,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively. Umesh Nagarkoti (68) of Gokarna Golf Club and Sanjay Lama (64) of Tribhuvan Army Officers Golf Club shared the fourth position at three-over 271. They earned Rs 24,000 each.
Shrestha and Khadka both played one-under 32 on the front nine, while Shrestha carded two-under 32 on the back nine and Khadka played one-over 35. Shrestha began the day with a double bogey on the first hole but came back strongly with an eagle on the fourth hole and a birdie on the seventh.
On the back nine, Shrestha carded birdies on the 10th, 12th, 13th and 18th holes against a bogey on the 16th hole. Khadka hit a birdie on the fourth hole to take the turn at one-under 32, while his back nine included a bogey on the final hole.
Army pro Dhana Thapa (72) finished sixth at 274 and received Rs 20,000. CB Bhandari and Purna Sharma finished joint seventh at 277, with Surya Prasad Sharma ninth at 279, one ahead of 10th-placed Mani Rai of Dharan. They also received their share of cash prizes.
The four-day tournament, organized by Nepal Professional Golfers´ Association under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd, carried a total cash prize of Rs 363,000.
In the amateur section, Bikash Bogati finished 18 strokes ahead of Dinesh Prajapati to clinch the top position. Bikash carded three-over 70 in the final round for a total of three-over 271 that saw him finish joint fourth overall. Prajapati (71) secured the second spot on countback after he was tied with Tanka Bahadur Karki (74) at 21-over 289.
Brand Manager of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Keshav Pradhan, Advisor of Nepal PGA Ghana Shyam Thapa and General Secretary of Nepal Golf Association and Captain of RNGC Tashi Ghale handed over the prizes to the winners.
Altogether 47 players -- 33 pros and 14 amateurs -- had taken part in the tournament with 22 pros and five amateurs making the cut for the final two rounds.