Amateur Rahul wins Surya Nepal Central Open

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 29: Amateur Rahul BK won the Surya Nepal Central Open, first event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2024-25, at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club on Thursday.

Rahul carded 5-under 67 in the fourth and final round for total score of 12-under 276. He registered one-stroke victory over overnight leader Toran Bikram Shahi to claim maiden career title. Rahul also bagged the amateur section title with a five-stroke victory over Nepal No 1 amateur Sadbhav Acharya.

Rahul, who began the day four strokes behind Toran, carded 4-under 32 on the front nine to catch Toran, who took the turn at even-par 36. Rahul played 1-under 35 on the back nine, while Toran played even-par 36 for even-par 72 in the final round. Rahul took one-stroke lead over Toran on the 16th hole after he carded a birdie from 25 feet and he hung on to complete the victory.

Rahul lifted the main and amateur section trophies, while Toran received the winner’s cheque of Rs 150,000 after he finished first among pros with the total score of 11-under 277. Defending champion Sadbhav received the amateur section runner-up trophy. 

Rahul carded birdies on the second, third, seventh and ninth holes on the bogey-free front nine. He carded three birdies on the 11th 12th and 16th holes before facing a bogey on the 17th holes. 

Toran dropped a shot on the first and carded a birdie on the third hole. After taking the turn, Toran carded birdies on the 10th and 13th holes and he faced bogeys on the 15th and 17th holes. 

Sadbhav played 1-over 37 on the front nine and he carded 1-under 35 on the back nine. He carded six birdies in the final round but faced four bogeys and a double bogey.

Niraj Tamang and Bhuvan Nagarkoti shared the second position among pros and fourth overall with the score of 3-under 285 and they earned Rs 87,500. 

Niraj played 1-over 73, while Nepal No 1 pro Bhuvan carded 2-under 70. Sunil KC (70) and Jayram Shrestha (72) finished joint sixth overall and fourth among pros at even-par 288. They received Rs 58,000 each.

Rajendra Tamang was sixth among pros with the score of 3-over 291 and he earned Rs 46,000, while Sanjay Lama came seventh at 292 and he got Rs 42,000. 

Bhuwan Kumar Rokka was eighth at 293 and he took home Rs 38,000. Amateur Gajendra Gurung shot an ace on the par-3 10th hole and he received special prize from PGA Nepal for the Hole-in-One feat. He was third among amateurs with the total score of 12-over 300.

A total of 47 golfers, 34 pros and 13 amateurs, took part in the season-opening tournament of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2024-25. The event carried a cash purse of Rs 882,000 and top 21 pros received their share of cash prizes. 

The second event of the season, Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, will be played at the Royal Nepal Golf Club from December 10-13.