Dharan, Jan 22: Local amateur Niraj Tamang took the lead after the first round of the Surya Nepal Eastern Open, the second edition of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2019-20, at the Nirvana Country Club Health and Golf Resort in Dharan on Tuesday.

Niraj carded six-under 64 on the first day to take a three-stroke lead over defending champion Sukra Bahadur Rai, who carded three-under 67. 

Another local pro, Bal Bhadra Rai is third after he carded one-under 69. Shivaram Shrestha, Dinesh Prajapati and Ramesh Adhikari shared the fourth position at one-over 71.

Shiva Kumar Majhi, Sanjay Lama and Deepak Magar are tied for seventh position at two-over 72, while five pros, Binod Tamang, Bipin Tamang, Krishna Man Rajbahak, Sunil KC and Dhana Bahadur Thapa share the 10th position at three-over 73.

In the amateur section, Sundar Rai is at the second position with the score of three-over 73, while Binod Kumar Shah is third at 74.

Leader Niraj carded five-under 31 on the front nine and shot one-under 33 on the back nine. 

He carded birdies on the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh holes on the front nine. 

On the back nine, he carded birdies on the 12th, 14th and 16th holes against bogeys on the 15th and 18th holes.

Sukra carded one-under 35 on the front nine and carded two-under 32 on the back nine. 

His front nine included birdies on the second, fifth, sixth and ninth holes against bogeys on the first, fourth and seventh holes. 

After taking the turn, Sukra carded birdies on the 10th, 12th and 18th against bogey on the 16th hole.

Another local, Bal Bhadra carded one-under 35 on the front nine with birdies on the second and sixth holes against a birdie on the ninth hole. 

On the back nine, he made a birdie on the 12th and dropped a shot on the 13th hole for even-par 34.

A total of 50 players, including 34 pros and 16 amateurs, are taking part in the 54-hole tournament. 

The cut will be applied after the second round and top 24 pros and six amateurs will make it to the final round. 

The event carries a purse of Rs 700,000 and top three pros will receive Rs 125,000, Rs 75,000 and Rs 55,000 respectively. 

The tournament will end with the Pro-Am event on Friday.

 
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