KATHMANDU, May 17: Amateur Sukra Bahadur Rai won the Surya Nepal Premier Golf Championship defeating defending champion pro Bhuwan Nagarkoti by one stroke at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club on Thursday.

With the win, Sukra became the first amateur golfer to win two major titles in the same season. He had also won the Surya Nepal Eastern Open in December 2018.

Sukra, who was one stroke ahead of Nagarkoti going into the final round, carded five-under 67 to post a tournament total of 11-under 277. Nagarkoti, who also carded five-under 67 in the final round, finished first among the pros with the score of 10-under 278 and received the check of Rs 230,000.

The prize money took Nagarkoti to the top of the Order of Merit with a earning of Rs 663,000 although he could not win any tournament this season. Shiva Ram Shrestha, who skipped the last four events, dropped to second in the order with Rs 460,500.

Bikash Adhikari moved to third with Rs 411,333 after he finished second among pros with the score of even-par 288 in the ninth and final event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2018-19. 

Sanjay Lama finished fourth with Rs 386,500, while Dhana Bahadur Thapa was fifth in the Order of Merit with Rs 381,167.

Army Club pro Dhana Bahadur Thapa (74) came third among pros with the score of two-over 290. He earned Rs 95,000. Sanjok Moktan (76) and Ramesh Adhikari (75) shared the fourth position at four-over 292 and they earned Rs 73,000 each.

Jayaram Shrestha, Rame Magar and Rabi Khadka shared the sixth position at 293. They earned Rs 57,833 each. Similarly, four pros, Krishna Man Rajbahak, Chuda Bahadur Bhnadari, Sanjay Lama and Surya Prasad Sharma shared the ninth position at 296. They pursed Rs 42,750 each.

Rai played four-under 32 on the front nine and carded one-under 35 on the back nine.  He carded four birdies on the second, third, sixth and seventh holes on the bogey-free front nine. After taking the turn, he carded birdies on the 10th and 11th holes and faced a bogey on the 17th hole.

Nagarkoti carded three-under 33 on the front nine and played two-under 34 on the back nine. He had four birdies on the second, third, seventh and ninth holes against a bogey on the eighth before taking the turn. On the back nine, he carded birdies on the 12th and 16th holes.

Subash Tamang finished runner-up behind Rai in amateur section with the score of five-under 283 after he carded one-under 71 in the final round. Tashi Tshiring was third at 289 after he played a round of three-over 75.

A total of 40 pros and 20 amateur golfers took part in the season-ending flagship event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour. The tournament carried a cash purse of Rs 1.26 million. 

 
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