Amateur golfers Sadbhav Acharya and Subash Tamang shared the lead after the second round of Surya Nepal Premier Golf Championship, the eighth and final event under the event, at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club on Wednesday.

Acharya carded seven-under 65 on the second day to go level with Tamang, who played even-par 72, at nine-under 135.

Acharya and Tamang are three strokes ahead of pros Neeraj Tamang and defending champion Sukra Bahadur Rai, who are tied for third at six-under 138. Neeraj Tamang produced the best card of the day, carding eight-under 64, while Nepal number 1 pro Rai carded five-under 67.

Money-leader Bhuvan Nagarkoti and Toran Bikram Shahi shared the fifth position at four-under 140. Nagarkoti carded four-under 68 and Shahi played even-par 72 in the second round.

Jayram Shrestha and Shivaram Poudel were tied on seventh at three-under 141 after both the pros played even-par 72.

Surya Prasad Sharma is ninth at two-under 142 after he carded two-under 70, while Dinesh Prajapati (72) is 10th at one-over 143.

Co-leader Acharya carded five-under 31 on the front nine and played two-under 34 on the back nine. He made a flying start carding five birdies on the first six holes. He began the day with a birdie and carded four straight birdies on the third, fourth, fifth and sixth holes. Acharya dropped a shot on the seventh before carding sixth birdie of the day on the ninth hole. After taking the turn, he carded birdies on the 13th and 15th holes.

Subash Tamang carded one-under 35 on the front nine and faltered to one-over 37 on the back nine. He carded three birdies on the first, third and seventh holes but dropped shots on the sixth and eighth holes. After taking the turn, he carded a birdie on the 12th hole before facing bogeys on the 14th and 18th holes.

A total of 23 pros survived the cut which was applied at seven-over 151. Former number 1 Rabi Khadka, Rajendra Thapa Magar, Ram Krishna Shrestha, Kamal Tamang, Bhuwan Kumar Rokka, Dhana Bahadur Thapa, Dal Bahadur Lama, Rame Magar, Purna Prasad Sharma, Bhu Bahadur Gurung made the cut in professional section. Also, Tashi Ghale, Deepak Magar, Tanka Bahadur Karki, Deepak Neupane and Bal Bhadra Rai survived the cut.

In the amateur section, Tashi Tsering is third at even-par 144 after he carded two-under 70, while Wangchen Dhondup, Bharat Thapa Magar and Prajwal Gurung are other amateurs who made the cut.