The Royal Nepal Golf Club (RNGC) pro has one-stroke lead over club-mate Rabi Khadka, who carded even-par 72 on Wednesday.[break]
Shrestha carded even-par 36 on the front nine as he shot a birdie on the hole No 3 and a birdie on hole No 8. On the back nine, Shrestha hit a bogey on hole No 12 and shot two consecutive birdies on hole No 13 and 14 to card one-under 35.
Khadka played two-over 38 on the front nine with bogeys on hole No 1 and 5. On the back nine, he shot two-under 34 with an eagle on the hole No 12, a birdie on the 13th and a bogey on the 14th.
RNGC pro Ramesh Nagarkoti, Dharan pro Sabin Sapkota and amateur Tashi Tshiring are tied for third place with the score of one-over 73. C.B. Bhandari and Toran Bikram Shahi are tied sixth with the score of two-over 74. Umesh Nagarkoti and Ram Krishna Shrestha are tied eighth with the score of three-over 75.
Ramesh Adhikari, Surya Sharma and Jaya Ram Shrestha are tied tenth with the score of four-over 76.
In Amateur section, Tashi Tsering holds six strokes lead over Dipnedra Rayamajhi who shot a round of seven-over 79. Other amateurs Dinesh Prajapati and Ashish Pariyar shot nine-over 81.
Altogether 49 players, including 28 pros and 21 amateurs, are taking part in the event organized by Nepal PGA and sponsored by ISME Pvt Ltd. The cut will be applied after the second round with top 20 pros and 4 amateurs qualifying for the final rounds.
Related story
Shiva Ram takes sole lead in Eastern Open
