Shrestha on top

KATHMANDU, June 25: Nepal No 1 Shiva Ram Shrestha jumped to the top of the leader-board on the second day of the Surya Nepal Central Open as he carded five-under 67 on Tuesday at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club.



After the second round, Royal Nepal Golf Club (RNGC) pro Shrestha has a total score of seven-under 137 and a three-stroke lead over Army Club pro Sanjay Lama. Lama, who carded three-under 69 on Monday, shot one-under 71 on Tuesday for a total of four-under 140.[break]



Overnight leader Ramesh Nagarkoti faltered in the second round carding one-over 73 for a total of three-under 141.



Defending champion Shrestha took the turn at even-par 36 and carded five-under 31 on the back nine. He began the day with a double bogey on the par-4 first hole and carded birdies on the third and seventh holes on the front nine. On the back nine, he carded birdies on the 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th and 18th holes.

Lama played even-par 36 on the front nine and played one-under 35 on the back nine. His round included birdies on the third, fourth, 14th and 16th holes. He dropped shots on the seventh, ninth and 18th holes.



Surya Prasad Sharma shot one-under 71 and is fourth at one-under 143, while Dharan pro Mani Rai and Ram Krishna Shrestha played three-under 69 each to share the fifth position at even-par 144.



Likewise, Ramesh Adhikari (71) is seventh at one-over 145, while Ram Thapa, CB Bhandari, Pashupati Sharma, Rabi Khadka and Tham Bahadur Rai shared the eighth position at 146. Deepak Thapa Magar, Suman Rai, Yelamber Singh Adhikari, Bhuwan Gurung, Umesh Nagarkoti, Jaya Ram Shrestha, Dipendra Rayamajhi, Deepak Acharya and Dhana Thapa also made the cut that was applied at 11-over 155.



In the amateur section, top golfer Dinesh Prajapati took the lead after playing one-over 73 for a total score of three-over 147. Prajapati is four strokes ahead of Tanka Bahadur Karki, who played five-over 77 for a total score of seven-over 151. No 2 ranked Bikash Bogati and Tirtha Paudel are the other two amateurs who made the cut.

The top three pros of the third event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2013-2014 will receive Rs 95,000, Rs 60,000 and Rs 44,000 respectively.

Related story

Former Miss Nepal Anushka Shrestha listed among Top 10 Women En...