Shrestha wins 39th title

Dec 30, 2017-Amateur golfers Sukra Bahadur Rai and Tanka Bahadur Karki fell agonisingly short of a pro title as Nepal No 1 Shivaram pip the duo by a stroke to clinch the Surya Nepal Eastern Open golf tournament at the par-70 Nirvana Country Club in Dharan on Friday.

The duo was left heartbroken especially Karki, who had two strokes lead over Shivaram coming into the third and final round on Friday. Shivaram carded two-under 68 for a total of seven-under 203 to edge the amateur duo by a stroke. Karki and Rai finished in a tie for second overall with a total score of six-under 204. Karki shot one-over 71 and Rai carded one-under 69 on Friday. Shivaram received a winner’s cheque of Rs 115,000 in the fourth event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2017-18.

The title battle went to the wire, decided on the final hole with Shivaram making the most of his professional experience to secure his 39th career title. Shivaram and Karki were seven-under 203 while Rai was two stroke back at five-under 205 going into the 18th hole. Shivaram and Karki both drove the ball on the left of the fairway while Rai found the green. Shivaram went for the hole and ended up finding the bunker whereas Karki played safe just short of the green. Rai had a chance for an eagle putt which he missed but still settled for a birdie. Karki missed the par putt from eight feet meaning Shivaram sealed the title with a par putt from six feet.

Rai settled for the amateur category title on count back as his score for last 36 holes was at four-under compared to Karki’s two-under. As Rai and Karki were ineligible for cash rewards being amateurs, Sanjay Lama, who shot a 72, and Jayaram Shrestha, who carded 68, shared the second prize at one-under 209. Both earned Rs 63,500 each.

Shiva Kumar Majhi finished fourth among the pros with the total score of one-over 211 after carding two-over 72 on Friday. Majhi received Rs 42,000. Sabin Sapkota (69) and Bhuwan Nagarkoti (73) finished tied for fifth at two-over 212 and received 34,500 each.

Dhana Bahadur Thapa, who carded an even-par 70, was seventh at three-over 213 and earned Rs 29,000. Deepak Magar carded three-over 73 to end up in  eighth at four-over 214 and received Rs 26,000. Surya Prasad Sharma, Deoraj Pakhrin and Suman Rai finished tied on ninth at five-over 215 and received Rs 22,000 each. The Pro-am event is scheduled for Saturday in which 15 pros and 45 amateurs will take part.

In all, 27 golfers from the 61-man original field had made it to the final round of the tournament that offered Rs 630,000 in total prize money.