Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open concludes , Amateur Sadbhav claims fourth major career title

KATHMANDU: Sadbhav Acharya won the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open for his fourth major career title at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Friday.

Sadbhav came from one-shot down to beat pro Niraj Tamang by two strokes in the second event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2024-25. Nepal No 1 amateur golfer Sadbhav carded an impressive 6-under 62 to post the record winning total of 15-under 257 at the RNGC course. He bettered Bhuvan Nagrkoti’s previous best of 14-under in the 2022-23 season.

Niraj carded 3-under 65 in the final round and finished first among pros with the score of 13-under 259. He received the cheque of Rs 125,000. Dinesh Prajapati finished third overall and second among pros with the score of 8-under 264 after he carded 3-under 65 in the final round. He earned Rs 85,000.

Rahul BK was fourth overall and second among amateurs after he carded 4-under 64 for total score of 6-under 266. Nepal No 1 pro Bhuvan Nagarkoti was fifth overall and third among pros at 4-under 268. He carded 4-under 64 in the final round and claimed Rs 68,000.

Bishnu Prasad Sharma and Jayram Shrestha shared the sixth place at 3-under 269. Jayram carded six straight birdies from the 13th to 18th holes on his way to carding 6-under 62, while Bishnu played 3-over 71. They received Rs 51,500 each. Sanjay Lama, Deepak Magar and Toran Bikram Shahi finished in top 10.

Sadbhav took the turn at 4-under 30 and carded 2-under 32 on the back nine. He started the day with a birdie and added three more on the fourth, fifth and sixth holes. After taking the turn, he carded birdies on the 11th and 13th holes. Sadbhav did not drop a single shot on the last 47 holes and he recorded 9-stroke victory over Rahul in amateur section.

Overnight leader Niraj carded 4-under 30 on the front nine and played 1-over 35 on the back nine. He carded four birdies on the first, second, fourth and seventh holes and he dropped a shot on the 11th hole.

Dinesh carded 2-under 32 on the front nine and he played 1-under 33 on the back nine. He carded birdies on the first, fourth, fifth and eighth holes, while he faced a double bogey on the seventh hole. Dinesh then carded birdies on the 10th and 13thholes before dropping a shot on the 14th hole.

A total of 45 players, 33 pros and 12 amateurs, took part in the tournament that carried a cash purse of Rs 735,000.

Brand Manager of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Bidur Raj Adhikari and PGA Nepal President Rabindra Man Shrestha handed over prizes to the winners.

The next event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2024-25, Surya Nepal Eastern Open will be played at Dharan Golf Club from Dec 25-28.