Nepal’s top amateur Subash Tamang defended the Surya Nepal NPGA Tour Championship crown with a four-stroke victory over pro Sanjay Lama at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club on Thursday.

The 13th South Asian Games twin gold medalist Tamang carded three-under 69 in the final round for the total score of 13-under 275 to claim his fourth major title. He also bagged the amateur section title with a 13-stroke victory over fellow national team member Sadbhav Acharya.

Lama carded one-under 71 for the total score of nine-under 279 and received a cheque of Rs140,000. Winner Tamang did not get a cash prize due to his amateur status.

Niraj Tamang and Jayram Shrestha finished joint second among pros to wrap up at four-under 284. They earned Rs78,500 each. Tamang played a card of two-under 70 and Shrestha scored six-under 66 in the final round.

Top pro Bhuvan Nagarkoti and Ramesh Adhikari finished joint fourth among the pros at two-under 286 and they collected Rs51,000 each. Nagarkoti played three-over 75 and Adhikari carded four-under 68. Rabi Khadka faltered to seven-over 78 and finished sixth at even-par 288. He was tied with amateur Acharya, who played a second straight four-over 76. Khadka earned Rs40,500.

Kamal Tamang and Toran Bikram Shahi were tied in the seventh place at four-over 292 and walked away with a purse of Rs35,500 each. Tamang scored three-over 75 and Shahi carded even-par 72. Bal Bhadra Rai played two-over 74 to finish ninth at 296 and he earned Rs32,000. Bhu Bahadur Gurung (79) ended up 10th at 298 and he got Rs30,000.

Winner Tamang carded three-under 33 on the front and returned at even-par 36. After dropping a shot on the second hole, Tamang carded birdies on the third, fifth, sixth and eighth holes. At the back nine, he suffered a double bogey on the 15th and bogey on the 18th hole against birdies on the 11th, 12th and 14th holes.

Pro Lama carded one-under 35 on the front nine and even-par 36 on the back nine. After carding birdies on the third and fourth holes, Sanjay faced a bogey on the seventh hole. He then dropped shots on the 10th and 16th holes against birdies on the 11th and 14th holes.

The seventh event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23 saw participation of 40 golfers, including 31 pros and nine amateurs. The tournament offered a prize purse of Rs800,000. Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd brand manager Bidur Raj Adhikari, PGA Nepal President Rabindra Man Shrestha and senior golfer Gita Gurung gave away the prizes.