Amateur Sadbhav claims fourth major career title

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 14: Sadbhav Acharya won the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open for his fourth major career title at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Friday.

Sadbhav came from a one-shot down to beat pro-Niraj Tamang by two strokes in the second event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2024-25. 

Nepal No. 1 amateur golfer Sadbhav carded an impressive 6-under 62 to post the record winning total of 15-under 257 at the RNGC course. He bettered Bhuvan Nagrkoti’s previous best of 14-under in the 2022-23 season.

Niraj carded 3-under 65 in the final round and finished first among pros with a score of 13-under 259. He received the cheque of Rs 125,000. Dinesh Prajapati finished third overall and second among pros with a score of 8-under 264 after he carded 3-under 65 in the final round. He earned Rs 85,000.

Rahul BK was fourth overall and second among amateurs after he carded 4-under 64 for a total score of 6-under 266. Nepal No 1 pro-Bhuvan Nagarkoti was fifth overall and third among pros at 4-under 268. 

He carded 4-under 64 in the final round and claimed Rs 68,000. Bishnu Prasad Sharma and Jayram Shrestha shared the sixth place at 3-under 269. Jayram carded six straight birdies from the 13th to 18th holes on his way to carding 6-under 62, while Bishnu played 3-over 71. They received Rs 51,500 each. Sanjay Lama, Deepak Magar and Toran Bikram Shahi finished in the top 10.

Sadbhav took the turn at 4-under 30 and carded 2-under 32 on the back nine. He started the day with a birdie and added three more on the fourth, fifth and sixth holes. After taking the turn, he carded birdies on the 11th and 13th holes. Sadbhav did not drop a single shot on the last 47 holes and he recorded a 9-stroke victory over Rahul in amateur section.

Overnight leader Niraj carded 4-under 30 on the front nine and played 1-over 35 on the back nine. He carded four birdies on the first, second, fourth and seventh holes and he dropped a shot on the 11th hole.

Dinesh carded 2-under 32 on the front nine and he played 1-under 33 on the back nine. He carded birdies on the first, fourth, fifth and eighth holes, while he faced a double bogey on the seventh hole. Dinesh then carded birdies on the 10th and 13th holes before dropping a shot on the 14th hole.

A total of 45 players, 33 pros and 12 amateurs, took part in the tournament that carried a cash purse of Rs 735,000.