Amateur Wangchen Dhondup took the lead after the first round of the Surya Nepal Premier Golf Championship, the season-ending event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2021-22, at the Gokarna Golf Club in Kathmandu on Monday.

Dhondup played seven-under 65 to open a three-stroke lead over Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Rabi Khadka and Niraj Tamang, all of whom carded four-under 68. Sukra Bahadur Rai, amateurs Sadbhav Acharya and Mahendra Phagami carded three-under 69. Rame Magar and 13th South Asian Games (SAG) twin gold medallist amateur Subash Tamang are at two-under 70.

Seven players—Pashupati Sharma, Dal Bahadur Lama, Bhuwan Kumar Rokka, Bal Bhadra Rai, Purna Prasad Sharma, Ram Krishna Shrestha, and Indian amateur Aarav D Shah—played a round of one-under 71.

Dhondup started the day with a bogey but birdied on the second hole and sank an eagle on the par-five third hole. He then saved a shot each from fourth to seventh hole for a six-under 30 on the front nine. On the back nine, he birdied on the 10th and 13th holes against a bogey on the 11th for one-under 35.

Khadka carded one-under 35 on the front nine with birdies on the first and second against bogey on the eighth hole. On the back nine, he saved a shot each on the 11th, 12th and 18th holes for three-under 33. Tamang played one-under 35 on the first half with birdies on the third and fourth holes against bogey on the second. He shot three-under 33 after taking the turn with birdies on the 13th, 14th, 16th and 17th against bogey on the 18th.

Nepal No 1 pro Nagarkoti scored two-under 34 on each side with birdies on the seventh and eighth holes. On the back nine, he made birdies on the 11th, 12th and 18th holes against a bogey on the 14th hole. Rai played one-under 35 at two under 34 on the either half. In the first half, he hit a lone birdie on the sixth hole. On the back nine, he carded birdies on the 11th and 17th holes.

Amateur Acharya birdied on the second, third and seventh holes against bogey on the eighth for two-under 34 on the front nine. After taking the turn, he birdied on the 15th and 17th holes against a bogey on the 18th for one-under 35.

Amateur Phagami carded two-under 34 on the front nine with birdies on the second, fourth and ninth holes against a bogey on the eighth. At the latter half, he scored birdies on the 11th and 18th holes against a bogey on the 16th hole for one-under 35.

Altogether 43 professional and 11 amateurs are taking part in the tournament that carries a purse of Rs 1.461 million.

The cut will be applied after the second round with 21 pros and ties along with six amateurs surviving pro cut will be eligible for the last two rounds.