Local pro Niraj Tamang took the lead after the first round of Surya Nepal Eastern Open, the second event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 202-23, at the par-70 Dharan Golf Club in Sunsari on Tuesday.

Tamang scored five-under 65 for a one-stroke lead over Nepal number one Sukra Bahadur Rai and Sanjay Lama—both of whom carded four-under 66.

Bhuvan Nagarkoti turned in a round of three-under 67.

Jayaram Shrestha carded an even-par 70. Amateur Raj Kumar Rai scored one-over 71. Rabi Khadka, Ramesh Adhikari, Rame Magar, Surya Prasad Sharma, Tanka Bahadur Karki, Bal Bhadra Rai and Dinesh Prajapati carded two-over 72.

Tamang began the day with birdies on the second, third, fifth and sixth holes before closing with an eagle on the par-4 ninth hole for six-under 30 on the front nine. On the back nine, he made three straight birdies on 10th, 11th and 12th holes but dropped shots on 13th, 14th, 17th and 18th holes for one-over 35.

Rai opened with two straight bogeys, birdied the fifth, sixth and ninth holes for one-under 35 on the front nine. On the back nine, he carded birdies on the 10th, 13th, 15th and 18th holes with a drop shot on the 14th for three-under 31.

Lama played three-under 33 on the front nine with birdies on the second, fifth and sixth holes. On the back nine, he made birdies on the 10th, 16th and 18th holes against bogeys on 13th and 14th holes for one-under 33.

Nagarkoti hit his tee shot out of bounds on the first hole and shot a double-bogey, then birdied the third and ninth holes and closed the front nine at even-par 36. On the back nine, he made birdies on the 10th, 12th and 13th holes for three-under 31.

A total of 40 golfers—29 pros and 11 amateurs—are taking part in the 54-hole competition.

Cut will be applied after the second round with top 21 pros and at least six amateurs making it to the final round.

The event carries a prize of Rs800,000, with top three pros receiving Rs140,000, Rs90,000 and Rs67,000, respectively.

The tournament will conclude with the Pro-Am event on December 30.