Surya Nepal Open: Rame, Rabi share lead

By Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 11: Rame Magar and Rabi Khadka shared the lead after the opening round of the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the fourth event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2025–26, at the par‑68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Tuesday.

Both carded three‑under 65 to sit one stroke ahead of Jayram Shrestha, who posted a two‑under 66. Sanjay Lama is fourth at one‑under 67, while Bhuwan Kumar Rokka, Nepal No. 1 Niraj Tamang and Dinesh Prajapati are tied for fifth on level‑par 68.

Former top pro Bhuvan Nagarkoti is tied for eighth with amateurs Rahul Bishwakarma and Mahendra Phagani at one‑over 69.

Co‑leader Rame played one‑over 35 on the front nine but bounced back with a bogey‑free four‑under 30 on the back nine, carding birdies on the 10th, 11th, 13th and 18th holes. Rabi, meanwhile, turned at two‑under 32 after birdies on the first and ninth, before adding another on the 10th and parring the remaining holes for a bogey‑free round.

Third‑placed Jayram played even‑par 34 on the front nine, with birdies on the fourth, eighth and ninth offset by bogeys on the third, fifth and sixth. He recovered with a two‑under 32 on the back nine, dropping a shot at the 10th but making birdies on the 12th, 13th and 15th.

In the amateur section, Rahul Bishwakarma and Mahendra Phagani share the lead at one‑over 69. Rahul carded one‑over 35 on the front nine and even‑par 34 on the back, while Mahendra turned at an impressive four‑under 30 before slipping to five‑over 39 on the back nine. Saroj Thapa and Phuntsok Norbu Lama are tied for third at two‑over 70.

A total of 55 players — 34 professionals and 21 amateurs — are competing in the 72‑hole tournament. The cut will be applied after 36 holes, with the top 18 pros advancing to the final two rounds.

The event carries a prize purse of Rs 875,000. The winner will receive Rs 150,000, the runner‑up Rs 105,000, and third place Rs 85,000. Fourth and fifth will earn Rs 71,000 and Rs 63,000 respectively, with the remaining top‑18 finishers also sharing in the prize money.