Sanjay Lama and Sukra Bahadur Rai came jointly on top after the first round of the Surya Nepal Western Open at the Par-69 Himalayan Golf Course on Tuesday.

The duo carded one-under 68 each. Bal Bhadra Rai played an even-par 69. Bhuwan Nagarkoti and Amateur Subash Tamang are jointly in fourth position with one-over 70.

Binod Tamang and Surya Prasad Sharma played two-over 71. Defending champion Dhana Bahadur Thapa, Niraj Tamang, Basanta Raj Gurung, Bhuwan Kumar Rokka and amateur Ritesh Tamang are at three-over 72.

Sanjay carded one-under 33 on the front nine with birdies on the first and seventh holes against bogey on the fifth hole. After taking the turn, he saved all pars for even-par 35. Sukra scored even-par 34 on the front nine with birdies on first and third against bogeys on second and fourth. On the back nine, he carded birdies on 13th and 18th against bogey on the 12th hole for one-under 34.

Bal Bhadra played even-par 34 on the front nine with birdie on fifth against bogey on ninth hole. On the back nine, he made birdies on 11th and 18th against drop shots on 12th and 16th for even-par 35.

Altogether 51 golfers including 37 pros and 14 amateurs are taking part in the third event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2020-21.

Cut will be applied after the second round with top 21 pros and six amateurs making the cut for the final two rounds. Also, the amateur who survives the pro-cut score will be eligible to play the final round. The winner will bag a purse of Rs 130,000 in the event that carries a total purse of Rs735,000.

The tournament is organised by Nepal Professional Golfers Association and is sponsored by Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd.