Amateur Subash Tamang opened a one-stroke lead over Sukra Bahadur Rai after the first round of the Surya Nepal NPGA Tour Championship at the Gokarna Golf Club on Monday.

Tamang, the double gold medalist at the 13th South Asian Games, played a bogey-free round to wrap up the first day at eight-under 64. Pro Sukra Bahadur Rai, who joined the event after competing at half a dozen of events in Indian Tour, played seven-under 65.

Amateur Tashi Tsering and pro Rabi Khadka are jointly in third position at five-under 67. Nepal No 1 pro Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Dinesh Prajapati and amateur Sadbhav Acharya are tied for fifth at four-under 68.

Pros Kamal Tamang, Ramesh Adhikari and Tirtha Poudel are jointly in eighth position at two-under 70, while Dhana Bahadur Thapa was next at one-under 71.

Leader Tamang birdied on the third, fourth and fifth hole before an eagle on the par-five seventh hole for five-under 31 on the front nine. After taking the turn, he birdied on the 10th, 15th and 17th holes for three-under 333.

Rai birdied on the third, fifth and seventh hole for three-under 33 on the front nine. He then dropped a shot on the very first hole after taking turn but amended it with an eagle in the next. He birdied on the 12th, 14th, 17th and 18th holes against a bogey on the par-three and 13th hole for four-under 32.

Amateur Tsering played a card of three-under 33 on the front nine with birdies on the first, third and fifth holes. He scored two-under 34 on the back nine with birdies on the 15th and 17th holes. Khadka, tied with Tsering, opened with bogey and added another on the eight hole but he saved shots on the fourth and fifth hole for even-par 36 on the front nine. After taking the turn, Khadka birdied on 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 17th holes for five-under 31.

The four-day event features a total of 44 golfers including 32 pros and 12 amateurs. Cut will be applied after the second round with top 21 pros and at least six amateurs making it to the last two rounds.