Surya Nepal Central Open Bhuwan extends the lead on the second day

KATHMANDU, March 16: Bhuwan Nagarkoti extended the lead after second round of the Surya Nepal Central Open, the first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2021, at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club on Tuesday. Bhuwan carded three-under 69 in the second round to post the 36-hole total of 11-under 133. He had carded eight-under 64 in the first round. Bhuwan is five strokes ahead of Sukra Bahadur Rai after 36 holes. Sukra carded second straight three-under 69 for the total of six-under 138.

The South Asian Games double gold medalist, amateur Subash Tamang carded two-under 70 to remain at the third position with the total score of two-under 70. Sanjay Lama shot four-under 68 to climb to fourth at three-under 141. Rame Magar slipped down to fifth at two-under 142 after he played two-over 74 in the second round.

Amateur Vijay Shrestha Einhaus and pro Rajendra Shrestha Pradhan share the sixth position at even-par 144. Vijay played four-over 76 in the second round, and Rajendra shot three-over 75. Bal Bhadra Rai moved up to eighth with the score of one-over 145 after he carded one-under 71. Former top pro, Rabi Khadka (68) shared the ninth position at two-over 146 with amateurs Tashi Tsering (75) and Ajit BK (71).

Leader Bhuwan played even-par 36 on the front nine. He dropped shots on the second and seventh holes against birdies on the third and sixth holes. On the back nine, Bhuwan carded three-under 33. He carded a birdie on the 10th but faced a bogey on the next hole. Bhuwan then shot birdies on the 12th, 14th and 17th holes to remain at the top of the leaderboard.

Second-placed Sukra carded two-under 34 on the front nine and shot one-under 35 on the back nine. He carded birdies on the third and seventh holes before the turn. On the back nine, Sukra faced a bogey on the 15th hole against birdies on the 12th and 17th holes.

Likewise, amateur Subash played one-under 35 each on two halves. He carded a lone birdie on the fourth hole before the turn. Subash then shot birdies on the 12th, 13th and 17th holes but he faced bogeys on the 14th and 15th holes.

A total of 29 golfers — 22 pros and seven amateurs — made the cut after the second round. Pradip Kumar Lama, Bhu Bahadur Gurung, Bhuwan Kumar Rokka, Jayaram Shrestha, Surya Prasad Sharma, Niraj Tamang, Dinesh Prajapati, Ramesh Adhikari, Deepak Magar, Sunil K.C., Sanjok Moktan, Pashupati Sharma, Ram Krishna Shrestha and Lt . Col . Basanta Raj Gurung survived the cut which was applied at 10-over 154.

Likewise, amateurs Ritesh Tamang, Yubraj Bhujel, Hridesh Kumar Singh and Sadbhav Acharya also earned their spots for the final two rounds. A total of 44 professional golfers and 17 amateurs are taking part in the tournament. The event carries a cash purse of Rs 735,000. Winner of the event will be richer by Rs 130,000, the runner-up will earn Rs 80,000 and the third-place winner will get Rs 60,000. Others who make the cut will also earn prize money.