Surya Nepal Western Open: Niraj Tamang takes lead after first round
POKHARA, January 23: Niraj Tamang maintained the lead after second round of Surya Nepal Western Open, the fourth event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2024-25, at the par-69 Himalayan Golf Course in Pokhara on Thursday.
Niraj carded 1-under 68 in the second round for 36-hole total score of 5-under 133. He is one-stroke ahead of Bhuwan Kumar Rokka going into the third and final round. Bhuwan carded second straight 2-under 67 to remain at the second position with total score of 4-under 134.
Dhana Bahadur Thapa and Sanjay Lama are tied for third at even-par 138. Both pros played 1-over 70 in the third round. Amateur Sundar Rai and Jayram Shrestha share fifth place at 2-over 140. Amateur Sundar carded 1-over 70 and Jayram played 2-over 71 in the second round.
Three pros, Krishna Man Rajbahak, Bishnu Prasad Sharma and Rame Magar are tied for seventh at 4-over 142. Krishna Man carded 1-under 68, Bishnu played 2-over 71 and Rame shot 4-over 73 in second round. Former top pro Rabi Khadka is 10that 5-over 143 after he carded 1-under 68.
The Cut was applied at 15-over 153, with 21 pros and six amateurs making it to the final round. Defending champion and Nepal No 1 pro Bhuvan Nagarkoti, Toran Bikram Shahi, Pradip Kumar Lama, Surya Prasad Sharma, Bhu Bahadur Gurung, Bal Bhadra Rai, Yuvaraj Bhujel, Tanka Bahadur Karki, Deepak Magar, Dinesh Prajapati, Dal Bahadur Lama and Kishan Kaliraj Sunar are other pros who made the cut.
In amateur section, Sundar Rai, who is tied for fifth overall, is six strokes ahead of Suman Pariyar. Suman carded 1-under 68 in the second round for 8-over 146. Suresh Tamang, Prajwal Gurung, Sansar B.K. and Jiwaram Gurung are other amateurs who survived the pro cut.
Leader Niraj carded 1-under 33 on the front nine and played even-par 35 on the back nine. He dropped a shot on the seventh hole against birdies on the fourth and eighth holes. After taking the turn, he carded a birdie on the 10th hole but suffered a triple bogey on the par-4 14th hole. Niraj recovered with birdies on the last two holes.
Bhuwan took the turn at even-par 34 after he saved pars on all nine holes. He carded 1-under 33 on the back nine that included four birdies on the 11th, 15th, 16th and 17th holes, and he faced a double bogey on the 14th hole. Dhana carded 1-under 33 on the front nine and played 2-over 37 on the back nine. Likewise, Sanjay took the turn at 1-over 35 and carded even-par 35 on the back nine.
A total of 52 golfers, 34 pros and 18 amateurs, are taking part in the 54-hole tournament. The prize purse for the event has been raised this year to Rs. 882,000 out of which the winner will receive a cheque of Rs.150,000, Runner up will get 100,000, and second runner up will take home Rs. 72,000. Others in the top 21 will also receive their share of cash prizes.
