KATHMANDU, May 22: Four pros Sanjay Lama, Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Dinesh Prajapati and Bal Bhadra Rai shared the lead after the first round of the Surya Nepal Premier Golf Championship at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club on Monday.

The four pros carded four-under 68 on the first day of the 10th and the final event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2017-18. 

Rame Magar is two shots behind the leaders at fifth position, while Bikash Adhikari, Krishna Man Rajbahak and Deepak Acharya shared the sixth position at one-under 71.

Likewise, seven pros Dhana Bahadur Thapa, Pashupati Sharma, the defending champion Shivaram Shrestha, Chuda Bahadur Bhandari, Bhuwan Kumar Rokka, Toran Bikram Shahi and Purna Prasad Sharma shared the ninth position at even-par 72.

Co-leaders Lama and Nagarkoti carded four-under 32 on the front nine and played even-par 36 on the back nine. Prajapati shot five-under 31 on the front nine and he played one-over 37 on the back nine. Likewise, Rai carded three-under 33 on the front nine and shot one-under 35 on the back nine.

Lama carded birdies on the third, fifth, sixth and ninth holes on the front nine. He then saved pars on all nine holes after taking the turn. Nagarkoti carded birdies on the second, third, fifth, seventh and ninth holes and faced a bogey on the eighth hole before taking the turn. He then carded a birdie on the 11th and dropped a shot on the 14th hole. 

Likewise, Prajapati carded birdies on the third, fourth, sixth, seventh and ninth holes on the front nine. On the back nine, he faced a bogey on the 15th hole. Also, Rai carded birdies on the third, fourth, sixth and seventh holes before facing a bogey on the eighth hole. On the back nine, Rai faced bogeys on the 14th and 15th holes against birdies on the 10th, 16th and 17th holes.
Tanka Bahadur Karki and Prithvi Malla shared the amateur section lead at even-par 72. Subash Tamang is third at  one-over 73, while Ajit BK, Sunil KC and Yubraj Bhujel shared the fourth at two-over 74.

A total of 56 players are taking part in the event. Cut will be applied after the second round with top 24 pros and six amateurs making it to the final two rounds. 

The winner of the tournament will take home Rs 230,000, while the runner up will be rewarded with Rs 140,000 and the third place pro will earn Rs 95,000. Others in top 24 will also get their share of cash prizes.

 
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