KATHMANDU, March 28: Rame Magar took lead in the first round of Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open after he carded seven-under 61on Tuesday at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club in Kathmandu.

Rame carded three-under 31 and four-under 30 on either halves to take four-stroke lead over Bhuwan Nagarkoti in the fifth event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2016-17.

Sanjay Lama stands third at one-under 67 while Krishna Man Rajbahak and Nepal number one pro Shivaram Shrestha are tied at even-par 68 in fourth position. Surya Prasad Sharma, Dhana Bahadur Thapa, Bikash Adhikari and Yelamber Singh Adhikari all carded one-over 69 to share sixth position. 

Rame began the day with birdies on the first two holes, but dropped a shot on the following hole and sank an eagle on the par-five fourth hole in the front nine. In the later half, he carded birdies on the 10th, 13th, 14th and 17th holes and saved pars on other holes. 

Bhuwan started with a birdie on the first hole, sank an eagle on the fourth and saved pars on other holes for front nine total of four-under 31. After taking the turn, he birdied on the 13th hole and dropped a shot on the following hole for even-par score.

Army pro Sanjay carded one-under 33 on the front nine with birdies on the first, fourth, sixth, eighth and ninth holes but dropped four shots on the par-three third hole. After taking the turn, he birdied on the 10th and 14th holes and sank an eagle on the par-five 13th hole. But he bogeyed on the 16th and 17th holes and double bogeyed on the 12th hole to finish back nine at even-par 34.  

Altogether 40 players including 29 pros and 11 amateurs, are competing in the four-day tournament. Cut will be applied after 36 holes of play. Only top 21 pros and ties along with top six amateurs or those making professional cuts will be eligible to compete in final 36 holes.

 
• rame magar
 
• surya nepal kathmandu open