The Surya Nepal Western Open golf tournament tees off at the Himalayan Golf Course in Pokhara on Wednesday.

The 54-hole tournament, the third event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2016-17, will see 28 professional and 13 amateur golfers battle it out for the title over three days. The event will conclude with a pro-am competition on Saturday in which local amateurs will team up with country’s pros.

The prize money for the event has been raised to Rs 600,000 this year with the champion assured of winning Rs 110,000 and the runners-up Rs 70,000 and Rs 45000. Others in the top 21 will also get their share of cash prizes. Dhana Thapa is the defending champion who will be tested by Shivaram Shrestha, Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Sanjay Lama and Rabi Khadka among others in the tournament. 

Three golfers, who earned tour cards through Qualifying School last month—Bhuwan Kumar Rokka, Dinesh Nagarkoti and Dal Lama—will make their pro debuts.