Tribhuvan Army Officers Club pro Thapa produced the best card of his career with six-under 66 on Monday at his home course of the par-72 while Royal Nepal Golf Club (RNGC) pro Thapa Magar shot one-under 71.[break]
Thapa shot 7-under 29 on the front nine. He began with a birdie on the first hole of par 5. He shot even par on the second hole and then played six consecutive birdies. On the back nine he faltered twice on the 10th and 17th holes but birdied the final hole for a one -over on the back nine.
Rajan Thapa and Umesh Nagarkoti are tied on the third with the scores of one-over 73. Nepal No 1 Shiva Ram Shrestha is in the fifth position with the score of two-over 74.
Surya Sharma is sixth after day I with the score of four-over 76. Ramesh Nagarkoti, Jayaram Shrestha and Pashupati Sharma shared seventh position with the score of five-over 77.
Dhurba KC, Ram Krishna Shrestha and Mani Rai are tied at the 10th place with the score of six-over 78.
Meanwhile, Nischaya Rayamajhi is leading the amateur field with the score of five-over 77. Ashish Pariyar is one stroke adrift Rayamajhi. Kamal Thapa is third with the score of eight-over 80.
Altogether 44 players, including 20 amateurs, are taking part in the 54-hole tournament sponsored by Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. The cut will be applied after the second round with top 20 pros and four amateurs making it to the final round.
The winning pro will receive Rs 60,000 while runner-up will get Rs 41,000.
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