Sukra Bahadur Rai took a one-stroke lead over Niraj Tamang after the third round of the Surya Nepal Premier Golf Championship, the eighth and season-ending event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2021-22, on Wednesday.

Rai carded six-under 66 for a total score of 16-under 200. Overnight leader Tamang scored three-under 69 for a total score of 15-under 201.

Amateur Wangchen Dhondup scored two-under 70 for a 12-under 204 total to sit in third position overall. Bhuwan Nagarkoti produced a card of two-under 70 for a total score of 10-under 206 to remain fourth. Amateur Mahendra Phagami played a round of four-under 68 for a total of seven-under 209 to be tied at sixth place with pro Purna Sharma, who carded one-under 71.

Amateur Aarav Shah turned in a card of one-under 71 for a total of five-under 211. Shah is tied in the seventh spot with Bhuwan Kumar Rokka, who played even-par 72. Surya Prasad Sharma (67) and Rabi Khadka (70) are joint ninth with four-under 212. Amateur Sadbhav Acharya is in the 11th position, scoring six-over 78 for a total of three-under 213. Another amateur Subash Tamang scored one-under 71 for a total score of two-under 214. Dhana Bahadur Thapa carded three-over 75 for a total of one-under 215. Rajendra Thapa Magar played a round of two-under 70 for a total of even-par 216.

Rai made birdies on the first, third, fifth and sixth holes for four-under 32 on the front nine. On the back nine, he made bogey on the 11th but came back stronger with birdies on the 12th, 16th and 18th holes for two-under 34.

Tamang scored two-under 34 on the front nine with birdies on the third and ninth holes. On the back nine, he made birdies on the 13th and 17th holes with a drop shot on the 14th for one-under 35.

Amateur Dhondup played even-par on the front nine with birdie on the third hole against bogey on the eighth hole. On the back nine, he made birdies on the 15th and 18th holes for two-under 34.

Nagarkoti played even-par on the front nine with birdie on the third hole against bogey on the fourth. On the back nine, he sank birdies on the 11th, 12th, and 17th holes against bogey on the 15th hole for two-under 34.

A total of 43 professional golfers and 11 amateurs are taking part in the tournament that concludes on Thursday. The event carries a cash purse of Rs1,461,000, with the winner bagging a purse of Rs250,000. The runner-up will earn Rs155,000 and the third-placed golfer will receive Rs110,000.