Former Nepali top pro Sukra Bahadur Rai stayed at the top of the leaderboard after the second round of the Surya Nepal Challenge at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Wednesday. Rai was sharing the top position with Bhuwan Kumar Rokka at the end of Day 1 on Tuesday.

Rai played 1-over 69 on the second day, bringing his 36-hole total to 6-under 130. He is one stroke ahead of Dinesh Prajapati, who carded 1-under 67 for a total score of 5-under 131.

Rame Magar and overnight co-leader Rokka share third position at 3-under 133. Magar moved up after he carded 1-under 67, while Rokka shot 4-over 72 to slip down.

Likewise, three pros, Sanjay Lama, Niraj Tamang and Pradip Kumar Lama, are tied for fifth at 1-under 135. Sanjay produced the best card of the round at 2-under 66, while Tamang and Pradip played even-par 68 each. Toran Shahi, Basanta Raj Gurung and defending champion Rabi Khadka shared eighth place at 1-over 137. Shahi carded 1-under 67, Gurung played an even-par 68, and Khadka finished with a 2-over 70.

The cut fell at 9-over 145, and 23 pros made it to the final two rounds along with two amateur golfers. Jayram Shrestha, Bhuvan Nagarkoti, Ram Krishna Shrestha, Rajendra Shrestha Pradhan, Ramesh Adhikari, Deepak Magar, Dhana Bahadur Thapa, Sunil KC, Tanka Bahadur Karki, Kishan Kaliraj Sunar, Shivram Poudel, Rajen Rai and Suman Pariyar survived the cut.

In the amateur section, national team member Rahul Bishwakarma maintained his lead. He played 1-over 69 for a 36-hole total of 1-over 137 and is one stroke ahead of Nischaya Jung Rayamajhi.

Photo: PGAN

Sukra Bahadur Rai kept the lead to himself on Day 2 of the Surya Nepal Challenge at the Royal Nepal Golf Club on Wednesday.