Local pro Sukra Bahadur Rai maintained a one-stroke lead over Niraj Tamang after the second round of the Surya Nepal Eastern Open, third event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2023-24, at the par-70 Dharan Golf Club on Thursday.

The Nepal number one pro and defending champion Rai played 1-over 71 for the 36-hole total of 2-under 138. He was able to keep the one-stroke lead after fellow Dharan pro Tamang also played 1-over 71 for the total score of 1-under 139.

Former top pro Bhuvan Nagarkoti climbed to third at 2-over 142 despite playing 2-over 72 in the second round. He is tied with amateur section leader Yubraj Bhujel.

Three pros, Rabi Khadka, Rajen Rai and Bhuwan Kumar Rokka carded 1-under 69 each and they are tied for fourth at 4-over 144.

Dhana Bahadur Thapa (72) and Rame Magar (75) share the seventh position at 6-over 146, while three pros, Sanjay Lama (72), Surya Prasad Sharma (72) and Deepak Magar (74) are tied for ninth at 7-over 147.

Local pros Deo Raj Pakhrin, Sabin Sapkota, Bal Bhadra Rai, Dal Bahadur Lama and Suman Sapkota along with Dinesh Prajapati, Jayram Shrestha, Pradip Kumar Lama, Ramesh Adhikari and Pashupati Sharma survived the cut that fell at 14-over 154.

In the amateur section, Yubraj Bhujel is at the top with the score of 2-over 142. Bhujel played three-over 73 to open up a three-stroke lead over Gajendra Gurung, who played 1-over 71 for the total score of 5-over 145. Sundar Rai carded 1-under 69 and is third at 6-over 146. Padam Hang and Suman Pariyar also survived the cut for the final round.