Toran wins first title in 12 years

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar 1 : Toran Bikram Shahi won the Surya Nepal NPGA Tour Championship, the fifth event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2024-25, at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club on Friday.

Toran carded a bogey-free 5-under 67 in the fourth and final round to post the winning total of 18-under 270. He registered one-stroke victory over Niraj Tamang to win the third major career title and second in Surya Nepal Golf Tour. 

Previously, he had won the Surya Nepal NPGA Tour Championship in 2013 and Kailash Tea Open in 2007. With the title, Toran received Rs 150,000.

Niraj finished second at 17-under 271 after he carded 5-under 67 in the final round. Toran was one stroke ahead Niraj going into the final round and he extended the lead to two strokes after front nine. 

Toran was three shots ahead after 13 holes but Niraj hit back with two straight birdies on the 14th and 15th holes to reduce the deficit to one shot.

Niraj faced a bogey on the 16th handing two-shot cushion to Toran but he pulled one back with a birdie on the 17th hole.

Niraj had a chance to force playoff but he missed a birdie putt on the final hole and Toran completed the victory with a par. 

Toran carded three straight birdies on the third, fourth and fifth holes before taking the turn and he added two more on the 10th and 11th holes. 

Niraj faced a lone bogey on the 16th holes and he carded six birdies on the fourth, ninth, 11th, 14th, 15th and 17th holes. Niraj, who has won two titles in the current season and finished top among pros in one event, received Rs 100,000.

Defending champion Sadbhav Acharya won the amateur section title with total score of 13-under 275. He played a flawless round of 7-under 65 to record 9-stroke victory over fellow national team member Rahul Bishwakarma. Sadbhav carded seven birdies on the sixth, seventh, 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th and 15th holes and he finished third overall. Rahul played 2-over 74 and fell to fifth overall at 4-under 284.

Sanjay Lama was third among pros and fifth overall at 5-under 283 after he carded 3-under 69 in the final round. He received Rs 75,000.

 Dinesh Prajapati carded even-par 72 to finish fourth among pros at 3-under 285 and he earned Rs 63,000. Nepal No 1 Bhuvan Nagarkoti (75) was seventh at 1-under 287 and he got Rs 53,000.

 Jayram Shrestha faltered to 8-over 80 to finish eighth overall at 3-over 291 and he received Rs 46,000. Tanka Bahadur Karki (76) came ninth at 4-over 292 and he got Rs 42,000.

 Rame Magar (80) and Surya Prasad Sharma (72) finished tied 10th at 8-over 296 and they earned Rs 36,500 each.

A total of 30 pros and 9 amateurs took part in the 72-hole tournament.