Shrestha shot one-over 73 on the fourth and the final day for a total of three-over 291 to win the trophy. He left Rabi Khadka one stroke behind after the dramatic final hole. Khadka played a round of three-over 75 on Thursday. [break]
Khadka earned a chance to force a play-off after Shrestha missed a five-foot par putt, but he also missed a three-foot putt and settled for a joint second position. Khadka, who was one-stroke ahead of Shrestha after the third round, was leading by three-stroke at one stage but failed to hold on to the lead.
With the title win, Shrestha equaled Deepak Acharya in the most-wins list. Shrestha also equaled his own mark of five trophies in a season. He had won five trophies in the Surya Nepal Tour 2008-09.
The victory also gave Shiva Ram Rs 80,000 that put him atop the Order of Merit. He earned a total of Rs 5,88,000 in the 2010-11 season and defeated Rupak Acharya by just Rs 5,750. Khadka, who topped the Order of Merit last season, remained winless this season and ended up third with the total earning of Rs 314,583.
Shrestha carded one-under 35 on the front nine that included an eagle and two birdies against three bogeys. On the back nine, he shot three bogeys against a lone birdie. Khadka played an even-par 36 on the front nine including a birdie and a bogey, while his back nine of three-over 39 consisted three bogeys.
"I´ve expected an easy win but it turned to be tough till last hole," said winner Shrestha. "I´m delighted to win 10 titles in a professional career of just three years," he added. Shrestha also said that winning Surya Masters, the mega event of Nepali golf, is next target for him.
Purna Sharma was lucky to finish joint second at four-over 292 after the final day score of even-par 72. Rabi and Purna earned Rs 45,500 each.
Deepak Thapa Magar finished fourth at five-over 293 and received Rs 33,000, whereas Umesh Nagarkoti faltered to three-over 75 to finish fifth at 294. Defending champion Rupak Acharya finished sixth and earned Rs 21,500. He would have finished atop the Order of Merit had he finished fourth or better.
Samundra Giri, the second day´s overall leader, won the amateur section trophy with the total of seven-over 295 after the final round score of three-over 75. Wanchen Dhondup was a distant second at 310, while Tashi Tsering finished third at 313.
Chairman of Gokarna Forest Golf Resort Prem Sachdev and former President and advisor of NPGA Ghana Shyam Thapa handed over prizes to the winners. A total of 38 players -- 26 pros and 12 amateurs -- took part in the eighth and final event of the Surya Nepal Tour 2010-11, organised by Nepal PGA under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd.
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