Kathmandu: Mr. Shivram Shrestha defeated Mr. Sukra Bahadur Rai at the Surya Nepal Central Open registering a comfortable 15-stroke victory at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club.
Shrestha carded four-under 68 for the 72-hole total score of 14-under 274 to win the first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2019-20 season. After playing one-over 72 in the opening round, Shrestha played carded three-under and four-under for the next two days to begin the final round with an eight-stroke lead. It was the 45th title for Shrestha who also received a cheque of Rs 125,000.
Newly-turned pro Rai with Mr. Bhuwan Nagarkoti at three-over 219, carded two-under 70 for a total score of one-over 289. In the first event, he won Rs. 80,000 as a professional golfer.
Mr. Rabi Khadka completed third at three-over 291 after the final score of five-over 77. Mr. Dhana Bahadur Thapa (73) was fourth with a total score of 294. They received Rs. 58,000 and Rs. 47,000 respectively. Nepal No 1 pro Mr. Bhuwan Nagarkoti (77) finished fifth with a total score of 296 and earned Rs. 40,000. Mr. Rame Magar came sixth at 297 after carded seven-over 79 and got Rs. 36,000. Mr. Deepak Thapa Magar (78) came seventh at 298 and earned Rs. 33,000.
Former No. 1 pro Shrestha carded three-under 33 in the front nine with a birdie on the first three holes and sixth hole against a lone bogy on the eighth. He played one-under 35 at the back nine with birdies on the 11th, 12th and 17th holes against bogeys on the 14th and 15th holes.
Double gold medalist in the 13th South Asian Games, Mr. Subash Tamang won the amateur section by scoring of 14-over 302 in the last day after playing a disastrous round of nine-over 81. Mr. Ritesh Tamang came second in 310 after playing 12-over 84.
In all, 47 golfers, 43 pros and 4 amateurs took part in the event. Surya Nepal Pvt. Ltd Brand Manager, Mr. Keshav Pradhan distributed prizes to the winners.
Source: TKP
