Nepali golfers eye historic success at Sentosa

Singapore, October 3

Nepali golfers Sukra Bahadur Rai and Tanka Bahadur Karki will be looking to create history when they tee off the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship at the New Tanjong course of Sentosa Golf Club here on Thursday.

Nepal first took part in the championship, formerly known as Asian Amateur, in 2009 at Mission Hills in China and have participated in seven out of nine editions. But no Nepali golfer has been able to make the cut in the championship. Out of the nine previous editions, Nepal did not participate in the sixth and ninth editions held in Australia (2014) and New Zealand (2017) respectively.

This time around the Nepal Golf Association has pinned hope on Rai and Karki to break the 36-hole jinx. “Off late Sukra has been performing well in international events and I am hopeful that he would be able to make the cut in Singapore,” said Tashi Ghale, President of NGA, on the eve of the championship.

“As the course is a long one, Tanka will have advantage. But he needs to check his distance calculation properly,” added Ghale, who watched the two golfers play in the practice round today.

Rai, who produced even-par scores for the first three rounds in the Faldo Series Asia Final in Vietnam earlier this year, was also confident on faring well in Singapore. “I played well in both practice rounds and that has helped me in gaining confidence for the championship,” said Rai. “I know I have a chance to create history in Nepali golf and I will try my best to give my 100 per cent in the championship,” said Rai.

Another golfer, Karki was also confident of playing well in the tournament. “I have set a certain target for me in the first round and I am hoping to meet that tomorrow,” said Karki, who won the Bhutan Open overall title and team trophy along with Rai last year. “We have participated in many tournaments and we have matured as players now. We know how to cope with the situation,” said Karki.

A total of 120 players from 40 countries are taking part in the 10th edition of the championship organised by Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the Masters and R&A.

The winner of the Championship will earn tickets to the 2019 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club and a place in The 148th Open at the Royal Portrush, while the runners-up will seal berths in The Open Qualifying Series.

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