Local pro Niraj wins title, equals winning total record

By Our Correspondent,Dharan, Dec 28: Local pro Niraj Tamang won the title of the Surya Nepal Eastern Open, the third event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2024-25, at the par-70 Dharan Golf Club on Friday.

Niraj carded 5-under 65 in the third and final round for a total score of 17-under 193. Niraj broke the record course record of 8-under 62 on the first day and equalled the winning total record of 17-under 193. Both records were previously held by fellow Dharan pro-Sukra Bahadur Rai on his way to winning the title in the 2022-23 season.

Niraj recorded an emphatic 10-stroke victory over Bishnu Prasad Sharma to claim his second major career title and a cheque of Rs 150,000. Bishnu, who was seven strokes behind Niraj going into the final round, carded 2-under 68 for a total score of 7-under 203. 

With a runner-up finish, Bishnu earned Rs 100,000. Another local pro, Bal Bhadra Rai came third at 3-under 207 after he played 1-over 71. He received Rs 75,000.

No 1 pro Bhuvan Nagarkoti and Rabi Khadka shared the fourth position at 2-under 208 and they got Rs 55,000 each. Bhuvan carded 4-under 66 in the final round, while Rabi shot 2-under 68. 

Dhana Bahadur Thapa (70) and Bhuwan Kumar Rokka (73) finished tied for sixth at 1-under 209 and they got Rs 44,000 each. Rame Magar (71) came eighth at 211 and he earned Rs 38,000. 

Tanka Bahadur Karki (72) and Sanjay Lama (66) shared the ninth position at 4-over 214 and they earned Rs 33,500 each.

Suman Pariyar won the amateur section title with a score of 1-under 209 and he was tied for sixth overall. He recorded a 2-stroke victory over Sundar Rai, who also carded 1-under 69, and came second at 1-over 211. 

Winner Niraj equalled the 17-under record score after he cared 5-under 31 on the front nine. He made a flying start with birdies on the first three holes and added two more on the sixth and ninth before the turn. He dropped three shots on the first two holes of the back nine. Niraj faced a double bogey on the 10th after he hit the tee shot into the jungle and then found the hazard with a second shot before taking a penalty shot. He also dropped a shot on the 11th hole. 

Niraj recovered well to maintain the score with birdies on the 12th, 13th and 17th holes and finished the back nine at even-par 34. He had a chance to break the record after he drove the ball into the bunker on the left side of the 18th green but he ended up with a top shot and found another bunker. He hit a brilliant shot from the bunker to settle for a par and equal the record.

Bishnu carded 4-under 32 on the front nine after he carded four birdies on the third, fifth, sixth and ninth holes. But he played 2-over 36 on the back nine after he faced four birdies on the 13th, 14th, 16th and 17th holes against two birdies on the 15th and 18th holes. 

Former winner, Bal Bhadra took the turn at even-par 26 after he faced bogeys on the first and fourth holes against birdies on the sixth and ninth holes. He carded a birdie on the 11th hole and dropped shots on the 13th and 16th holes for 1-over 35 on the back nine.

A total of 56 golfers, including 29 pros and 27 amateurs, took part in the 54-hole tournament that carried a cash purse of Rs 882,000. 

All pros in the top 21 received their share of cash prizes. Deputy General Manager of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd, Keshav Pradhan and Vice-president of Nepal Golf Association Tilak Rai handed over prizes to the winners. The tournament will end on Saturday with the Pro-Am event.