Bhuwan Nagarkoti took a nine-stroke lead ahead of the final round of the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Wednesday.

Nagarkoti carded a steady one-under 67 to move to the top after overnight leader Rabi Khada had a horrible afternoon—shooting nine-over 77 allowing Nagarkoti a massive lead at 10-under 194.

Nepal number one pro Sukra Bahadur Rai, who carded one-under for a total score of one-under 203, is tied with Khadka.

Dhana Bahadur Thapa, Dinesh Prajapati and Krishna Man Rajbahak are joint fourth at one-over 205. Thapa carded three-under 65, Prajapati scored two-under 66 and Rajbahak played even-par 68.

Pradeep Kumar Lama is seventh at three-over 207. He played a round of three-over 71. Ramesh Adhikari and Surya Prasad Sharma are at four-over 208. Adhikari scored a round of six-over 74 and Sharma carded two-over 70.

Rame Magar played two-over 70 to remain in 10th position.

Nagarkoti started the day with a par and dropped a shot on the very next hole before making birdies on the fourth and eighth hole for a total of one-under 33 on the front nine. On the back nine, he made birdies on the 12th, 13th, 17th and dropped shots on the 10th and 18th hole for even-par 34.

Rai took advantage making birdies on the first and fourth holes for two-under 32. On the back nine, he faced a double-bogey on the 10th hole and sank a birdie on the 13th hole for one-over 35.

Khadka scored four-over 38 on the front nine which included bogeys on the second, fourth, sixth and ninth holes. On the back nine, he made double bogeys on 10th and 18th holes, dropped shots on the 11th and 16th against sole birdie on the 13th hole for five-over 39.

Thapa scored one-over 35 on the front nine that included all pars and one bogey on the sixth hole. On the back nine, he made birdies on the 10th, 11th, 13th and 15th holes for four-under 30.

Prajapati played even-par 34 on the first half with birdies on fourth and fifth holes against bogeys on the third and ninth holes. On the back nine, he carded birdies on the 10th 15th and 18th holes against a bogey on the 11th for two-under 32.

Rajbahak scored one-over 35 on the front nine with birdies on the first and seventh holes against bogey on the third and double-bogey on the ninth holes. On the back nine, he made a lone birdie on the 17th hole for one-under 33.

Ajit BK is leading the amateur pack with the total score of 11-over 215. He played a round of five-over 73 today. Prajwal Gurung is distant second with the total score of 29-over 233.