Bhuvan Nagarkoti took a one-stroke lead over amateur golfer Sadbhav Acharya after the first round of Surya Nepal Western Open, the fourth event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2023-24, at the par-69 Himalayan Golf Course in Pokhara on Wednesday.

Former Nepal number one pro Nagarkoti carded 3-under 66 to stay at the top of the leaderboard. Amateur Acharya, winner of the season-opening Surya Nepal Central Open, carded 2-under 67.

Rabi Khadka and Niraj Tamang were tied for third at even-par 69. Dhana Bahadur Thapa was fifth at one-over 70, while Deepak Acharya and Tanka Bahadur Karki shared the sixth position at 2-over 71. Four pros, Bal Bhadra Rai, Bhuwan Kumar Rokka, Deepak Magar and Dinesh Prajapati, were tied for eighth place with amateur Sundar Rai at 3-over 72.

Leader Nagarkoti carded a birdie on the second hole in his bogey-free 1-under 33 on front nine. He carded 2-under 35 after the turn before facing the lone bogey of the day on the 12th hole against birdies on the 11th, 15th and 18th holes.

Amateur Acharya played bogey-free 1-under 33 on the front nine with a help of a birdie on the third hole. He carded 1-under 34 on the back nine. Acharya dropped a shot on the 12th hole and carded birdies on the 13th and 15th holes.

Former top pro Khadka faced a double bogey on the sixth hole against birdies on the fourth and eighth holes. After the turn, he carded a birdie on the 10th hole and dropped a shot on the final hole.

Tamang carded a bogey-free 1-under 33 on the front nine with the help of a birdie on the third hole. He then played 1-over 36 on the back nine after he carded a birdie on the 14th hole against bogeys on the 13th and 15th holes.

A total of 50 golfers—35 pros and 15 amateurs—are taking part in the 54-hole tournament. Cut will be applied after the second round. Top 21 pros and ties will make it to the final round. Amateurs making the pro cut will progress to the final round.

The tournament carries a cash purse of Rs840,000. The winner will receive Rs140,000, runner-up Rs96,000 and third-placed finisher Rs72,000. Fourth and fifth placed pros will get Rs59,000 and Rs50,000, respectively. Other pros in top 21 will also get their share of cash prizes.

The tournament will conclude with a Pro-Am event on Saturday.