Niraj Tamang carded 4-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Surya Nepal Western Open, the fourth event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2024-25, at the par-69 Himalayan Golf Course on Wednesday.

Tamang is two strokes ahead of fellow Dharan pro Yuvaraj Bhujel and Bhuwan Kumar Rokka. Bhujel and Rokka carded 2-under 67 each. Dhana Bahadur Thapa and Sanjay Lama are tied for fourth at 1-under 68, whereas Rame Magar and Jayram Shrestha share sixth place with the score of even-par 69.

Pradip Kumar Lama and amateur Sundar Rai are tied for eighth position at 1-over 70, while Bishnu Sharma and amateur Suresh Tamang are joint 10th at 2-over 71. Former Nepal number one pro Rabi Khadka fired the Hole in One on the par-3 eighth hole.

Tamang took the turn at 2-under 32 and carded 2-under 33 on the back nine. He carded birdies on the third and fourth holes in the bogey-free front nine. He carded three birdies on the 10th, 13th and 16th holes, while he faced a bogey on the 15th hole.

Bhujel carded 1-under 33 on the front nine and played 1-under 34 on the back nine. His first-round card included a total of seven birdies but he faced three bogeys and a double bogey. Bhujel carded birdies on the second and third holes before suffering a double bogey on the fifth hole and dropped a shot on the seventh hole. He bounced back nine two consecutive birdies on the eighth and ninth holes. After taking the turn, Bhujel faced a bogey on the 10th hole and carded three straight birdies on the 13th, 14th and 15th holes. But he faced the third bogey of the day on the 18thhole.

Rokka carded 2-under 32 on the front nine with the help of birdies on the third and fifth holes. After taking the turn, Rokka played even-par 35. He faced a double bogey on the 11th hole and carded birdies on the 16th and 17th holes.

A total of 52 golfers—34 pros and 18 amateurs—are taking part in the 54-hole tournament. Cut will be applied after the completion of 36 holes and top 21 pros and amateurs making the pro cut will progress to the final round.

The prize purse for the event has been raised this year to Rs882,000 out of which the winner will receive a cheque of Rs150,000. The runner up will get Rs100,000, and the third-placed golfer will take home Rs72,000. Others in the top 21 will also receive their share of cash prizes.