KATHMANDU, Feb 22: Amateur golfer Tenzing Tsering inched closer to top finish in the Surya Nepal Central Open on Wednesday after he extended his lead by eight strokes in the penultimate round at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club in Kathmandu. 

Tenzing, one of the members of the national team, gave continuity to his solid form after he carded two-under 70 for the 54-hole total of 10-under 206. He is eight-stroke ahead of RNGC pro Rabi Khadka, who also finished the third round with identical score of two-under 70 for the total score of two-under 214 and is on the leader board among the pros.

Army Club pro Sanjay Lama who played one-over 73 and Nepal number one pro Shivaram Shrestha who carded two-under 70 are joint second at one-under 215. Home club pro Bhuwan Nagarkoti who carded one-under 71 was fourth at one-over 217. 

Meanwhile, another amateur Tanka Bahadur Karki produced the best card of four-under 68 and leapfrogged three spots in overall to sixth for total of three-over 219. Army Club pro Dhana Bahadur Thapa shot even-par 72 for total of four-over 220. Jayaram Shrestha, two-under 70, is sixth at five-over 221 and Bal Bhadra Rai, even-par 72, is one stroke behind the former in total.  

Leader Tenzing, who shot six-under 66 and two-under 70 on the first two rounds, carded three-under 33 on the first half and one-over 37 on the back half on Wednesday. He carded birdies on the third, sixth, seventh and ninth holes against a lone bogey on the eighth. After taking the turn, he carded birdies on the 11th, 14th and 16th holes and dropped a shot each on the 12th and 13th holes. He also suffered a double bogey on the par-five 15th hole.

Rabi finished with even-par 36 and two-under 34 on the front nine and back nine respectively. He carded a birdie on the second and a bogey on the fifth hole. On the back nine, he carded three birdies on the 10th, 13th and 14th holes against a bogey on the 15th hole. 

The final of the tournament, the fourth event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour, will be played on Thursday. 

 
• tenzing tsering
 
• surya nepal central open
 
• gokarna golf club