POKHARA, March 18: Five golfers shared the lead after first round of Surya Nepal Western Open, fifth event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2025-26, at the par-69 Himalayan Golf Course in Pokhara on Wednesday.

Four pros, Sukra Bahadur Rai, Bhuvan Nagarkoti, Bhu Bahadur Gurung and Jayram Shrestha along with amateur golfer Rahul Bishwakarma carded even-par 69 in the opening round to share the lead. Sanjay Lama is sixth at 1-over 70, while Ramesh Adhikari is seventh at 2-over 71.

Bhuwan Kumar Rokka is eighth at 3-over 72, while Rabi Khadka and Pradip Kumar Lama are tied for ninth at 4-over 73.

Former No 1 pro Sukra played 2-over 36 on the front nine with bogeys on the first, third, sixth and seventh holes against birdies on the fifth and ninth holes. He carded 2-under 33 on the back nine where he dropped a shot on the 15th hole against birdies on the 10th, 14th and 17th holes.

Winner of the last two events of the current season, Bhuvan saved pars on all nine holes for an even-par 34 on the front nine. He then carded birdies on the 10th and 13th holes against bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes.

Local pro Bhu Bahadur birdied the third and dropped a shot on the seventh for even-par 34 on front nine. He then faced bogeys on the 12th and 16th holes against birdies on the 10th and 15th holes for even-par 35.

Jayram took the turn at 1-under 33 after he faced a bogey on the first hole and carded birdies on the fifth and ninth holes. On the back nine, he dropped a shot on the 16th and saved pars on eight holes for 1-over 36.

Amateur Rahul birdied the first holed and faced a bogey on the ninth to take the turn at even-par 34. He then carded a birdie on the 10th hole and dropped a shot on the 17th hole for even-par 35. Winner of season-opening Surya Nepal Central Open, Rahul is five strokes ahead of Prajwal Gurung in amateur section. Prajwal played 5-over 74. Kabi Thapa is third at 8-over 77.

The 54-hole event features a total of 26 pros and 16 amateurs. The tournament, organized by the Nepal Professional Golfers Association and sponsored by Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd, carries a prize purse of NPR 10,50,000. The winner will receive NPR 170,000, while the runner-up and second runner-up will earn NPR 125,000 and NPR 100,000 respectively. Cash prizes will also be awarded to players finishing within the top 18 positions.

The 26th edition of the Surya Nepal Western Open will conclude with the Pro-Am event on Saturday.