Sadbhav Acharya
KATHMANDU: Amateur golfer Sadbhav Acharya extended the lead to four strokes after the third round of the Surya Nepal Central Open, the season-opening event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2023-24, at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club on Wednesday.
Sadbhav carded second straight four-under 68 for the 54-hole total score of 14-under 202. He is four strokes ahead of pro Dinesh Prajapati, who carded three-under 69 for the total score of 10-under 206. Former Nepal No 1 pro Bhuvan Nagarkoti produced the best card of seven-under 65 to move to the third position at seven-under 209.
Sanjay Lama and Jayram Shrestha share the fourth position at two-under 214. Sanjay carded three-under 69 and Jayram played three-over 75 in the third round. Pro Dhana Bahadur Thapa (73) and amateur Tashi Tsering (74) were tied for sixth at even-par 216.
Pro Niraj Tamang played one-over 73 and he is at the eighth position with the score of two-over 218. Ravi Khadka (72) and Pradip Kumar Lama (74) share the ninth position at four-over 220.
Leader Sadbhav carded four-under 32 on the front nine and played even-par 36 on the back nine. He carded five birdies on the second, third, fourth, fifth and ninth holes and faced a bogey on the eighth hole. After taking the turn, Sadbhav carded a birdie on the 10th and sank an eagle on the 11th hole but he faced three consecutive bogeys on the 15th, 16th and 17th holes.
Pro Dinesh carded three-under 33 on the front nine and he played even-par 36 on the back nine. After facing a bogey on the first hole, Dinesh carded birdies on the fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth holes. On the back nine, Dinesh carded a birdie on the 12th hole and dropped a shot on the 15th hole.
Bhuvan carded three-under 33 on the front nine and played two-under 32 on the latter half. He carded five birdies on the third, fourth, sixth, seventh and ninth holes and faced a bogey on the eighth hole. On the bogey-free back nine, Bhuvan carded four birdies on the 10th, 11th, 13th and 17th holes.
Sanjay carded one-under 35 and added two-under 34 on the back nine. He faced bogeys on the fifth and sixth holes against birdies on the third, seventh and eighth holes. On the back nine, Sanjay carded birdies on the 12th, 15th and 16th holes and faced a bogey on the 14th hole.
Jayram faltered to two-over 38 on the front nine and played one-over 37 on the back nine. He carded birdies on the third and ninth holes and faced bogeys on the first and fifth holes apart from a double bogey on the fourth hole. He faced a bogey on the 15th hole and saved pars on eight other holes. First-round leader Tashi carded one-over 37 on either half. He dropped shots on the second and 12th holes and saved pars on 16 holes.
A total of 38 players are taking part in the event which carries a cash purse of Rs 840,000. After 36 holes, top 21 pros and all five amateurs will make the cut for the final two rounds. Top three pros will receive Rs 145,000, Rs 94,000 and Rs 70,000 respectively.
