Sukra wins Surya Nepal Challenge title

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 24: Former top professional golfer Sukra Bahadur Rai won the title of the Surya Nepal Challenge, the seventh event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2024-25, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Friday.

Sukra carded a 6-under 62 in the fourth and final round, setting a record-winning total of 17-under 255 at RNGC. He broke the previous best score of 15-under 257, set by amateur golfer Sadbhav Acharya during his victory at the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open earlier this year.

Sukra defeated fellow Dharan pro Niraj Tamang by four strokes to claim his 11th major career title, earning a prize of Rs 110,000. Niraj finished second with a total score of 13-under 259 after carding a 6-under 62, securing Rs 70,000 in prize money. Dinesh Prajapati finished third with an 8-under 264 after carding a 3-under 65, receiving Rs 50,000.

Bhuwan Kumar Rokka secured fourth place at 7-under 265 after shooting a 1-over 69 and earned Rs 42,000. Sanjay Lama finished fifth at 5-under 267 after carding a 3-under 65, claiming Rs 37,000. Three pros—Toran Bikram Shahi, Rabi Khadka, and Basanta Raj Gurung—shared sixth place with a score of 4-under 268. Toran played a 1-under 67, Rabi carded a 2-under 66, and Basanta carded a 3-under 65. Each golfer received Rs 30,000.

Nepal’s No. 1 pro, Bhuvan Nagarkoti, finished ninth with a score of 1-under 271 after carding a 66, earning Rs 24,000. Ramesh Adhikari secured 10th place with a 2-over 274 after carding a 69, receiving Rs 21,000.

National team golfer Rahul Biswakarma won the amateur section title with a total score of 3-over 275. Rahul played a 2-over 70 in the final round and secured a one-stroke victory over Lt. Col. Nischaya Jung Rayamajhi, who finished with a total score of 276 after playing two consecutive rounds of 2-over 70.

A total of 47 golfers—36 pros and 11 amateurs—participated in the 72-hole tournament. Surya Nepal Pvt. Ltd. Deputy General Manager (Marketing) Keshav Pradhan, PGA Nepal President Rabindra Man Shrestha, Advisor Ghana Shyam Thapa, Nepal Golf Association President Tashi Ghale, and RNGC Captain Mithun Rai handed out prizes to the winners.