Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the season opening event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2021-22, will tee off Monday at the Royal Nepal Golf Club in Kathmandu.

Altogether eight events will take place in the season, said Nepal Professional Golf Association general secretary Deepak Acharya at a press conference on Sunday. Eastern Open and Central Open are the second and third events under the Tour to take place in December and January while Surya Nepal Premier Golf Championship is the season ending event, which will take place in May.

According to Acharya, they were planning to develop the Premier Championship as the international event and golfers from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will also be invited for the competition. The event carries a total purse of Rs1.46 million.

"The last two seasons were hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and we could not conduct all the tournaments as per the schedule. But we are hopeful about finishing all the events as per the schedule this time," said Acharya.

The four-day Kathmandu open will be played over 72 holes at the par-68 course. Altogether 46 golfers including 34 pros and 12 amateurs will vie in the event. Cut will be applied after 36 holes. Only top 21 pros and ties along with top six amateurs will compete in the final 36 holes.

Sukra Bahadur Rai, Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Dhana Thapa, Sanjay Lama and Rame Magar are among the major title contenders while 13th South Asian Games (SAG) double gold medalist amateur Subash Tamang is also expected to throw tough competition.

The event carries a total cash prize of Rs640,000 with the winner walking away with a purse of Rs110,000 and the runners up will get Rs74,000. The pros finishing in the top 21 spots will also be rewarded with cash prizes. The event is sponsored by Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd.