Sukra defends Surya Nepal Eastern Open crown

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 27: Nepal No 1 pro Sukra Bahadur Rai defended the title of the Surya Nepal Eastern Open at the par-70 Dharan Golf Club on Friday. 

Local pro Sukra carded 1-under 69 in the third round and posted the 54-hole total score of 3-under 207. He recorded a five-stroke victory over fellow Dharan pro Niraj Tamang to claim his 10th career title and equal with veteran pro Deepak Magar and former Nepal No 1 pro Deepak Acharya. Along with the title, Sukra  received Rs 140,000.

Niraj finished second at 2-over 212 after he played 3-over 73 and he received Rs 96,000. Former top pro Bhuvan Nagarkoti played 1-over 71 to finish third at 3-over 213 and he got Rs 72,000. Rajen Rai, Bhuwan Kumar Rokka and Rame Magar shared the fourth position at 7-over 217. Rajen and Bhuwan played 73 each, while Rame shot 71. They earned Rs 50,500 each.

Gajendra Gurung won the amateur section title on countback after he was tied on 8-over 218 with Yubraj Bhujel. Gajendra played 3-over 73 on the final day, while Yubraj faltered to 6-over 76. Yubraj was five strokes ahead of Gajendra going into the final round but he faltered to 4-over 40 on the front nine and played 2-over 36 on the back nine. Gajendra played 1-over 37 and 2-over 36 on two halves respectively. Suman Pariyar (70) and Sundar Rai (75) were joint third at 11-over 221.