Kumar Kami and Jayaram Shrestha shared the lead on the first day of the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the season opening event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2021-22 season, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club in Kathmandu on Monday.

Kami and Shrestha both carded six-under 62 each in the first round while Bhuwan Kumar Rokka and Nepal No 1 pro Bhuwan Nagarkoti played five-under 63 to share the third position.

Rabi Khadka is fifth with four-under 64 while Dhana Bahadur Thapa and Sanjay Lama are sixth at one-under 67. Three pros — Krishna Man Rajbahak, Dinesh Prajapati and Ramesh Adhikari — along with amateur golfer Subash Tamang were tied on eighth place at even-par score.

Bhimsen Chaulagain played one-over 69, while Pradeep Kumar Lama, Binod Tamang, Niraj Tamang and Surya Prasad Sharma were tied on two-over 70.

Kami, the joint leader, played three-under 31 on either half. He carded birdies in the first, fourth, and fifth holes and after taking the turn he saved a shot each on the first three holes in the bogey-free round.

Shrestha made a flying start with an eagle in the par-five first hole and birdies in the third and seventh holes before a bogey in the par-four ninth hole. He carded three-under 31 in the first half. At the back nine, Shrestha carded birdies on the 11th, 13th and 16th holes to finish at three-under 31.

Rokka carded three-under 31 on the front nine that included birdies in the first, fourth and fifth holes. He played two-under 32 at the back nine with birdies in the 10th, 12th and 18th holes against a bogey on the 14th hole.

Nagarkoti also carded three-under 31 on the front nine and two-under 32 on the back nine. He sank an eagle in the par-five fourth hole and a birdie on the eighth. After taking turn, he carded birdies on the 13th and 18th holes for a bogey-free round.

In the amateur category, 13th South Asian Games double gold medalist Tamang played even-par 34 on both halves.

Altogether 55 players, 40 pros and 15 amateur golfers, are competing in the event. Cut will be applied after the second round with top 21 pros and ties and at least six amateurs making it to the final two rounds. The event carries a cash purse of Rs640,000. The winner of the tournament will walk away with Rs110,000, runner-up will get Rs74,000 and second runner-up will get Rs60,000.