POKHARA, Feb 13: Shiva Ram Shrestha carded one-under 69 to take one-stroke lead over Dhan Bahadur Thapa after the first round of the Surya Nepal Western Open in Pokhara on Wednesday.
In the third event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2019-20 at the par-69 Himalayan Golf Course, Thapa carded even-par 69 on the first day. Three pros, Sukra Bahadur Rai, Bal Bhadra Rai and Niraj Tamang shared third position at one-over 70, while Bhuwan Kumar Rokka and Nepal's top pro Bhuwan Nagarkoti shared the sixth position at two-over 71. R
abi Khadka and Jayaram Shrestha shared the eighth place at three-over 72, while defending champion Sanjay Lama is 10th at four-over 73.
Jitendra Rai is at the top among amateurs with the score of five-over 74 and he is tied in the 11th position with five pros, Ram Krishna Shrestha, Surya Prasad Sharma, Sanjeev Bahadur Nepali, Sunil KC and Rame Magar.
Suresh Lama is second in amateur section with the score of 75, while Jiwan Rai is third at 77.
Shiva Ram takes sole lead in Eastern Open
Leader Shiva Ram carded one-under 33 on the front nine and played even-par 35 on the back nine. He carded birdies on the third, fifth and sixth holes against bogeys on the fourth and ninth holes. After taking the turn, Shiva Ram sank an eagle on the par-5 10th hole and carded birdies on the 13th, 14th and 17th holes. He faced a triple bogey on the 15th hole and dropped shots on the 11th and 18th holes.
Thapa played even-par 34 on the front nine and carded even-par 35 on the back nine. He faced a double bogey on the first hole and dropped shots on the fourth and eighth holes against birdies on the third, fifth, sixth and seventh holes.
After taking the turn, Thapa carded birdies on the 10th and 17th holes before facing a double bogey on the 18th hole.
Sukra and Tamang played one-over 35 on the front nine and they carded even-par 35 on the back
nine, while the winner of the Surya Nepal Eastern Open, Bal Bhadra played even-par 34 on the front nine and shot one-over 36 on the back nine.
Top pro Bhuwan Nagarkoti took the turn at two-over 36 before playing even-par 35 on the back nine, while defending champion Lama faltered to five-over 39 on the front nine and carded one-under 34 on the back nine.
A total of 32 professionals and 16 amateurs are taking part in the 54 holes event organized by Nepal PGA and sponsored by Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd.
The event will conclude with a pro-am on Saturday in which most amateurs from Pokhara await to team up with country’s professional golfers for much needed exposure.
