Surya Nepal NPGA Tour Championship: Bhuvan Nagarkoti takes lead

BARDIBAS (MAHOTTARI): Bhuvan Nagarkoti carded 5-under 67 to take 2-stroke lead over Bhuwan Kumar Rokka after first round of Surya Nepal NPGA Tour Championship, third event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2025-26, at the par-72 Mithila Nagari Army Golf Club in Bardibas, Mahottari on Tuesday.

Bhuwan Kumar Rokka is second at 3-under 69, while Suman Rai and Dhana Bahadur Thapa are tied for third at 1-under 71. Tanka Bahadur Karki carded even-par 72 and he is fifth. Amateur Prakrit Tamang and pros Ramesh Adhikari, Niraj Tamang and Dinesh Prajapati are tied for sixth at 1-over 73. Shivaram Poudel, Rabi Khadka, Suman Pariyar and Pradip Kumar Lama share 10th position at 2-over 74.

Leader Bhuvan Nagarkoti took the turn at 3-under 33 and carded 2-under 34 on the back nine. The former Nepal No 1, pro Bhuvan carded birdies on the second, fourth, seventh and ninth holes against a lone bogey on the eighth hole before the turn. On the bogey-free back nine, he added birdies on the 11th and 16th holes.

Bhuwan Rokka played even-par 36 on the front nine and he carded 3-under 33 on the back nine. He started with a birdie on the first hole and two more on the third and seventh holes, but he faced bogeys on the second, fifth and ninth holes. On the bogey-free back nine, Bhuwan carded three consecutive birdies on the 13th, 14th and 15th holes. 

Suman shot 2-over 38 on the front nine and carded 3-under 33 on the back nine. He dropped shots on the first, fifth and sixth holes against a birdie on the eighth hole before taking the turn. On the bogey-free back nine, Suman carded a birdie on the 11th and sank an eagle on the 18th hole. 

Dhana played 1-over 37 on the front nine after he faced bogeys on the third and ninth holes against a birdie on the fourth hole. After the turn, he carded birdies on the 10th and 17th holes for a bogey-free back nine.

In amateur section, young amateur golfer Prakrit Tamang took a 2-stroke leader over Sundar Rai. Prakrit played 1-over 73 in the first round, while Sundar shot 3-over 75. Prakrit’s father, Bharat Tamang is a distant third at 9-over 81.

A total of 36 golfers – 30 pros and six amateurs – are taking part in the 54-hole tournament organised by Nepal PGA under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. Cut will be applied after second round, with top 18 pros and amateurs making it to the final round. 

The tournament carries a total prize purse of Rs 1,050,000 and the winner will receive Rs. 170,000. The runner-up and third-place finisher will earn Rs. 125,000 and Rs. 100,000, respectively. Players finishing in the top 18 positions will receive prize money.

Earlier, Madhes Province Minister for Sports and Social Development, Basanta Kumar Kusbaha inaugurated the tournament by taking ceremonial putts on Hole No 9. Mid-Eastern Division Commander Maj Gen Krishna Bahadur GC, Chief of Staff Brig Gen Sharad Lamichhane, Sports Ministry Secretary Ranjit Yadav and other officials were present on the occasion.