Bhuwan takes lead after first round

2021, March 16 – Bhuwan Nagarkoti took the lead after the first round while amateur Subash Tamang sank a hole-in-one in the Surya Nepal Central Open at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club on Monday.

Nagarkoti played a card of eight-under 64 to finish the first day on top while 13th South Asian Games double gold medalist Tamang achieved a rare feat with a hole-in-one in the par-three fifth hole.

While Nagarkoti opened four-stroke lead over Rame Magar and amateur Vijay Shrestha Einhaus, Tamang is five stroke behind the leader with three-under 69. Also Sukra Bahadur Rai and Rajendra Shrestha Pradhan are at three-under 69. Pradip Kumar Lama and Amateur Tashi Tshiring are at one-under 71.

Jayaram Shrestha, Sanjay Lama and Dhana Bahadur Thapa are at one-over 73. Niraj Tamang, Bal Bhadra Rai, Bhu Bahadur Gurung, Binod Tamang and amateur Yubaraj Bhujel are at two-over 74. Eight golfers including amateurs Ritesh Tamang, Bharat Thapa Magar and Ajit BK are three-over 75.

Leader Nagarkoti carded birdies on first four holes along with seventh and ninth holes for six-under 30 on the front nine. On the back nine, he made birdies on 11th and 14th holes for a two-under 34.

Magar played one-under 35 on the front nine with birdies on first and third against bogey on the second hole. He played three-under after taking the turn with birdies on 11th, 12th and 13th holes. Amateur Shrestha Einhaus carded even-par 36 on the front nine with a bogey on the second hole and birdie on seventh. On the back nine, he sank eagle on 12th hole along with birdies on 11th and 14th for four-under 32.

Amateur Tamang shot three-under 33 on the front nine on the back of hole-in-one on the fifth hole along with birdie on third. On the back nine, he made birdies on 11th, 12th, and 13th hole but bogeyed on 15th and dropped two shots on 14th for an even-par finish.

Rai carded two-under 34 on the front nine and played one-under 35 on the back nine. Shrestha Pradhan played four-under 32 before taking the turn and carded one-over 37 in the later half.

The event features 61 golfers in total including 44 professional and 17 amateurs. The winner will walk away with a purse of Rs130,000 in the event that carries a purse of Rs735,000. Pros finishing on top 21 positions will also have a share in the cash prizes. Cut will be applied after the second round and only top 21 professionals and ties along with six amateurs will be eligible to compete in the final 36 holes.