Bhuwan surges to lead at Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open

Bhuwan Nagarkoti takes nine-strokes lead going into the final round of the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open here at Royal Nepal Golf Club on Thursday.

Bhuwan carded a steady one-under 67 whereas the overnight leader Rabi Khada had an unforgettable day, shotting nine-over 77. Bhuwan leads massively at 10-under 194. Nepal Number one pro, Sukra Bahadur Rai, who carded one-under today for a total score of one-under 203 is tied with Rabi Khadka.

Dhana Bahadur Thapa, Dinesh Prajapati and Krishna Man Rajbahak are tied fourth at one-over 205. Dhana carded three-under 65, Dinesh scored two-under 66 and Krishnama played even-par 68.

Pradeep Kumar Lama is seventh at three-over 207, he played a round of three-over 71. Ramesh Adhikari and Surya Prasad Sharma are at four-over 208. Ramesh scored a round of six-over 74 and Surya carded two-over 70.

Rame Magar is lying 10th at six-over 210, he played a round of two-over 70.

Bhuwan started the day with a par, and dropped a shot on the very next hole and made birdies on fourth and eighth hole for a total of one-under 33 on the front nine. On the back nine, he made birdies on 12th, 13th, 17th and dropped shot on 10th, 18th hole for even-par 34.

Sukra took advantage of par 5s making birdies on first and fourth holes for two-under 32. On the back nine, he faced a double-bogey on the 10th hole and sank a birdie on the 13th hole for one-over 35.

Rabi who had a miserable day scored four-over 38 on the front nine which included bogeys on second, fourth, sixth and ninth holes. On the back nine, he made double bogeys on 10th & 18th holes, dropped shots on 11th and 16th against sole birdie on the 13th hole for five-over 39.

Dhana scored one-over 35 on the front nine that included all pars and one bogey on the sixth hole. On the back nine, he made birdies on 10th, 11th, 13th and 15th holes for four-under 30.

Dinesh played even-par 34 on the first half with birdies on fourth and fifth holes against bogeys on third and ninth holes. On the back nine, he carded birdies on 10th 15th and 18th holes against a bogey on 11th for two-under 32.

Krishnaman scored one-over 35 on the front nine with birdies on first and seventh holes against bogey on the third and double-bogey on the ninth holes. On the back nine, he made lone birdie on the 17th hole for one-under 33.

Among the amateurs Ajit BK is leading the pack with the total score of 11-over 215, he played a round of five-over 73 today. Prajwal Gurung is distant second with the total score of 29-over 233.

A total of 31 pros and five amateurs are taking part in the first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23 organized by the Nepal PGA under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Private Limited. The event carries a cash purse of Rs 670,000. Top three pros after 72 holes will earn Rs 116,000, Rs 74,000 and Rs 63,000 respectively, while others in top 21 will earn their share of cash prizes.