Amateur golfer Subash Tamang was off to a flying start in the Surya Nepal Premier Golf Championship campaign, opening a five-stroke lead on top at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

The 13th South Asian Games (SAG) twin gold medalist Tamang carded nine-under 63 after the first round of the eighth and final event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-2023. Pro Toran Bikram Shahi is behind him at four-under 68.

Jayram Shrestha and Shivaram Poudel are jointly in the third position at three-under 69. Amateur Sadbhav Acharya played a card of two-under 70 for the fifth position while Nepal No 1 pro and defending champion Sukra Bahadur Rai, Krishna Man Rajbahak and Dinesh Prajapati shared the sixth position at one-under 71.

Pros Surya Prasad Sharma, Bhuvan Nagarkoti, Dal Bahadur Lama, Rabi Khadka and Rajendra Thapa Magar were tied in ninth place at even-par 72.

Leader Tamang carded four-under 32 on the front nine and shot five-under 31 on the back nine. He birdied on the first three holes and added two more on the fifth and ninth holes but dropped a shot on the eighth hole. After taking the turn, Tamang played birdies on the 10th, 12th and 14th holes along with an eagle on the 11th.

Shahi carded two-under 34 on both halves. Despite opening with a bogey, he bounced back with birdies on the third, seventh and ninth holes. After taking the turn, he carded birdies on the 12th and 16th holes.

Shrestha carded two-under 34 on the front nine and one-under 35 on the second half. He carded five birdies — on the first, fifth, seventh, 11th and 13th holes against bogeys on the fourth and 15th holes. Poudel carded three-under 33 on the front nine and shot even-par at the back nine. He birdied on the first, second, fifth and 11th holes before a bogey on the 17th hole.

A total of 50 golfers — 41 pros and 9 amateurs — are taking part in the event that carries a purse of Rs1.52 million. Top 21 pros and at least six amateur players will make the cut after the second round. Top three pros will get cash prizes of Rs 270,000, Rs170,000 and Rs 120,000, respectively.