Surya Nepal NPGA Tour Championship: Subash Tamang takes lead on Day-I

Kathmandu, 9 May (2022) - Amateur Subash Tamang took one-stroke lead over Sukra Bahadur Rai after the first round of the Surya Nepal NPGA Tour Championship, the seventh event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2021-22, at the Gokarna Golf Club on Monday.

The 13th South Asian Games double gold medallist, Subash carded a bogey-free eight-under 64 to stay at the top of the leaderboard. Pro Sukra Bahadur Rai, who joined the tour after playing six events in the Indian Tour, carded seven-under 65. Amateur Tashi Tsering and pro Rabi Khadka shared the third position at five-under 67. Nepal No 1 pro Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Dinesh Prajapati and amateur Sadbhav Acharya were tied for fifth at four-under 68.

Three pros, Kamal Tamang, Ramesh Adhikari and Tirtha Poudel were tied for eighth at two-under 70, while Dhana Bahadur Thapa was next at one-under 71. Amateurs Wangchen Dhondup and Suresh Tamang were tied for 12th at even-par 72 with pro Bhuwan Kumar Rokka.

Leader Subash carded five-under 31 on the front nine before playing three-under 33 on the back nine. He began with saving pars on the first two holes before carding three straight birdies from the third. Subash then sank an eagle on the fifth. After taking the turn, Subash carded birdies on the 10th, 15th and 17th holes.

Sukra carded three-under 33 on the front nine and carded four-under 32 on the back nine. He carded birdies on the third, fifth and seventh holes before taking the turn. He then faced a bogey on the 10th and 13th holes against birdies on the 12th, 14th, 17th and 18th holes and an eagle on the 11th hole. 

Amateur Tashi carded three-under 33 on the front nine and added two-under 34 on the back nine on his way to playing a bogey-free round. He began the day with a birdie and saved shots on the third and fifth holes before taking the turn. On the back nine, Tashi carded birdies on the 15th and 17th holes.

Likewise, Rabi Khadka played even-par 36 on the front nine before carding five-under 31 on the back nine. He started the round with a bogey and added another on the eighth against birdies on the fourth and fifth holes. On the back nine, Rabi carded three straight birdies from the 11th hole and added two more on the 15th and 17th holes.

A total of 44 golfers – 32 pros and 12 amateurs – are taking part in the tournament organized by PGA Nepal under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. Cut will be applied after the second round. Top 21 pros and at least six amateurs will qualify for the final two rounds. The event carries a cash purse of Rs 775,000, and top three pros will receive Rs 135,000, Rs 88,000 and Rs 65,000 respectively. Others in top 21 will earn their share of cash prizes.