Rabi Khadka opened a two-stroke lead going into the final round of the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the season opening event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2021-22, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Wednesday.

Khadka played a card of two-under 66 to post the 54-hole total of seven-under 197. He is two strokes ahead of three pros — Dinesh Prajapati, Jayaram Shrestha and Nepal No 1 Bhuwan Nagarkoti.

Prajapati carded three-under 65, while Shrestha shot one-under 67 and overnight leader Bhuwan played one-over 69 on the third day for 54-hole total of five-under 199.

Bhuwan Kumar Rokka leapfrogged to fifth from tenth at three-under 201 after he finished with best score of the day at five-under 63 while. The 13th South Asian Games twin gold medalist Subash Tamang is one stroke behind him and leads the amateur section at two-under 202. He shot two-over 70.

Dhana Bahadur Thapa carded even-par 68 to remain sixth among pros and seventh overall at even-par 204. Sukra Bahadur Rai (68), Kumar Kami (71) and Sanjay Lama (71) shared the eighth position at one-over 205.

Leader Khadka played even-par 34 on the front nine and two-under 32 on the back nine. He started the day with a birdie and dropped a shot on the ninth at the first half. After taking the turn, he carded birdies on the 10th and 13th holes on the back nine.

The event carries a cash purse of Rs640,000. The winner of the tournament will receive Rs110,000, while the runner-up will earn Rs74,000 and second runner-up get Rs60,000. Others in top 21 will also earn their share of cash prizes.