Surya Nepal Kathmandu open: Bhuvan opens up 6-stroke lead over Dinesh

KATHMANDU, April 25: Bhuvan Nagarkoti opened up 6-stroke lead over Dinesh Prajapati after third round of the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the seventh event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2023-24, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Bhuvan carded 5-under 63 for 54-hole total score of 7-under 197. He is six shots ahead of Dinesh, who played 1-over 69 for 1-under 203 total.

Toran Bikram Shahi and Niraj Tamang shared the third position at even-par 204. Toran produced the best card of the day, carding a bogey-free 7-under 61 and Niraj carded 1-under 67 in the third round.

Dhana Bahadur Thapa and Sanjay Lama are tied for fifth place at 2-over 206. Dhana carded 2-under 66 and Sanjay played even-par 68. Three pros, Subash Tamang, Jayram Shrestha and Rabi Khadka share the seventh position at 3-over 207. Subash carded 68, Jayram played 69 and Rabi faltered to 3-over 71. Rame Magar is 10th at 5-over 209 after he played 4-over 72.

In amateur section, Sadbhav Acharya moved to the top with total score of 6-over 210. He played 3-over 71 in the third round and opened up 5-stroke lead over Tashi Tsering. Overnight leader Tashi played 9-over 77 and slipped to second at 11-over 215. Rahul BK is a distant third at 227 after he played 7-over 75.

Leader Bhuvan took the turn at an impressive 6-under 28 with the help of four birdies on the first, second, fifth and sixth holes and an eagle on the fourth hole. After taking the turn, Bhuvan played 1-over 35. He carded birdies on the 12th, 14th and 18th holes but faced bogeys on the 11th and 17th holes apart from a double bogey on the 16th hole.

Dinesh played 1-over 35 on the front nine and carded even-par 34 on the back nine. He dropped shots on the first and fifth holes against a birdie on the second hole. After taking the turn, Dinesh carded three birdies on the 10th, 13th and 14th holes but he suffered a triple bogey on the 11th hole.

Toran carded 4-under 30 with the help of birdies on the second, fourth, fifth and eighth holes. After taking the turn, he carded 3-under 31 after he carded birdies on the 10th, 11th and 17th holes.

Niraj carded 2-under 32 on the front nine after he carded birdies on the fifth and eighth holes. He suffered four bogeys on the 10th, 12, 16th and 18th holes against three birdies on the 11th, 13th and 15th holes on his way to playing 1-over 35 on the back nine.

The event carries a total purse of Rs 703,500 and the winner will bag a cheque of Rs. 120,000, Runner up will take home Rs. 82,000 and third place will earn Rs. 66,000. Fourth place will earn Rs 55,000 and fifth place will take home Rs 43,000. Others in the top 21will also receive their share of cash prizes.