Top pro Shrestha records resounding win over Nagarkoti in season opener

Kathmandu, October 11

Top pro Shivaram Shrestha registered a 12-stroke victory over Bhuwan Nagarkoti in the Surya Nepal Central Open, the season-opening event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2018-19, here at the Gokarna Golf Club today.

Defending champion Shrestha carded three-under 69 in the final round to post the 72-hole total score of 15-under 273. With the victory, he also captured his 42nd career trophy along with the pay cheque of Rs 120,000. Home club pro Nagarkoti carded one-under 71 to finish at three-under 285 and he earned Rs 77,000.

Nepal No 1 pro Shrestha, who began the day with 10-stroke lead over Nagarkoti, carded a bogey-free five-under 31 on the front nine before playing two-over 38 on the latter half.

Shrestha — the winner of 40 titles since the Surya Nepal Golf Tour started in 2008 — carded birdies on the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth holes. After taking the turn, Shrestha dropped shots on the 12th and 15th holes.

Nagarkoti carded two-under 34 on the front nine and shot one-over 37 after taking the turn. Nagarkoti dropped a shot on the second before carding three straight birdies from the third. On the back nine, Nagarkoti faced bogeys on the 11th and 16th holes against a birdie on the final hole.

Amateur golfer Tashi Tshiring finished third with the score of four-over 292 after he played a round of four-over 76. As the amateur player is not allowed to take money, Tshiring received amateur section winner’s trophy. The third-place prize went to Army Club pro Dhana Thapa, who shot three-over 75 for the total score of five-over 293. Thapa received Rs 55,000.

Wangchen Dhondup (75) was runner-up in amateur section and fifth overall with the score of eight-over 296. Ram Krishna Shrestha was fourth among professionals after he shot two-over 74 for 12-over 300. Shrestha earned Rs 43,000. Deepak Magar carded two-under 70 to finish fifth at 302 and received Rs 35,000. Krishna Man Rajbahak, who shot a Hole-in-One on fifth holes on his way to a round of four-over 76 shared the sixth position at 303 with Rame Magar (77) and Bikash Adhikari. The three pros earned Rs 30,333 each, while Rajbahak received additional Rs 15,000 for firing the ace.

Former No 1 pro Rabi Khadka came ninth at 304 after he played a forgettable round of eight-over 80, while Shiva Kumar Majhi (76) was 10th at 305. Khadka received Rs 26,000 and Majhi got Rs 25,000.

In all, 30 pros and 11 amateur golfers took part in the four-day event organised by Nepal PGA. Vice-president of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Dipra Lahiri, Nepal PGA President Rabindra Man Shrestha, Nepal Golf Association Vice-president Pavitra Karki and NPGA Advisor Ghana Shyam Thapa gave away the prizes to the winners of the 72-hole tournament.

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