Leader Bhuwan Nagarkoti's lead was trimmed down to two-stroke going into final rounds after the third round of the Surya Nepal Central Open at the Gokarna Golf Club on Wednesday.

Nagarkoti, who opened the day with a five-stroke lead, played a card of two-over 74 for a 56-hole total of nine-under 207. Sukra Bahadur Rai, who carded one-under 71, is behind Nagarkoti with a third day total of seven-under 209. Amateur Subash Tamang, the twin gold medalist of the 13th South Asian Games, played an even-par 72 and is overall third at five-under 211.

Sanjay Lama played three-over 75 to remain fourth at even-par 216. Amateur Vijay Shrestha Einhaus played one-over 73 for the third day total of one-over 217. Rame Magar, who carded four-over 76, is one stroke behind Shrestha Einhaus.

Pros Rajendra Shrestha Pradhan, Rabi Khadka and amateur Ajit BK are jointly in seventh position with 56-hole total of three-over 219. Shrestha Pradhan played three-over 75 while Khadka and BK carded one-over 73 each. Amateur Tashi Ghale played a card of 75 for the third round total of five-over 221.

Nagarkoti played an even-par 36 in front nine with birdies on the first and third holes against bogeys in the par four sixth and ninth holes. After taking the turn, he dropped a shot each on par-five 12th and 15th holes for two-over 38.

Second placed Rai played birdies on the third and fifth holes against bogey on the fifth hole to wrap up the front nine at one-under 35. At the back nine, he played even-par 36 despite dropping two shots at the par-five 11th hole. He saved shots on the 14th and 15th holes.

Amateur Subash Tamang played one-over 37 on the front nine and one-under 35 after taking the turn. He dropped a shot on the fourth and sixth holes against a birdie on seventh. He played a bogey at the very first hole after taking a turn but he amended it with birdies in the 12th and 18th holes.

Lama carded one-over 37 on the front nine with birdies on the first and third holes while he dropped two shots on the sixth hole and one on the following hole. At the back nine, he played two-over 38 with bogies on 14th and 16th holes.

Amateur Shrestha Einhaus played a card of two-under 34 at the front nine with birdies on the third, fourth, seventh and ninth holes against bogeys on the second and eighth holes. At the back nine he dropped a shot each on 10th, 12th, 14th and 16th holes against a birdie on the 18th.

Magar played a card of three-over 39 at the first half and one-over 37 at the back to drop one spot behind. Shrestha Pradhan played even-par 36 on front nine and three-over 39 on the back nine to be tied in seventh place along with amateur BK and Khadka. BK played even-par on the front nine and one-over after taking his turn. Khadka played four-over on front nine and three-under on back nine.