Kathmandu: Defending champion and Nepal No 1 pro Niraj Tamang extended the lead to five strokes after the second round of Surya Nepal Eastern Open, at par-70 Dharan Golf Club on Thursday.

Niraj carded second straight 6-under 64 for 36-hole total score of 12-under 128. He is five strokes ahead of amateur golfer Rahul Bishwakarma. Rahul, who won the season-opener Surya Nepal Central Open at Gokarna Golf Club earlier this month, carded a bogey-free 64 in the second round to move to second at 7-under 133.

Sukra Bahadur Rai and Tanka Bahadur Karki are third at 4-under 136. Sukra carded 3-under 67 and Tanka played 1-under 69 on the second day. Dinesh Prajapati moved up to fifth at 3-under 137 after he carded 4-under 66.

Rabi Khadka, Bhuvan Nagarkoti and Bal Bhadra Rai are tied for sixth at 1-under 139. Rabi carded 1-under 69, Bhuvan played even-par 70 and Bal Bhadra shot 2-over 72. Two amateur golfers Padam Hang Limbu and Prakrit Tamang share the ninth position at 2-over 142. Padam carded 2-under 68 and Prakrit played 3-over 73.

Leader Niraj took the turn at an impressive 6-under 30 with the help of birdies on second, third, fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth holes. He then carded a birdie on the 11th and dropped a shot on the 15th hole to finish the back nine at even-par 34.

Cut was applied at 11-over 151, with 18 pros and seven amateurs making it to the third and final round. Jayram Shrestha, who made a Hole-in-One on 14th hole, Suman Pariyar, Sunil KC, Sanjay Lama, Suman Rai, Bhuwan Kumar Rokka, Deepak Magar, Krishna Man Rajbahak, Suresh Tamang, Surya Prasad Sharma and Dhana Bahadur Thapa survived the cut in professional section.

Three pros Shiva Kumar Majhi, Tham Bahadur Rai and Rajen Rai, and amateur Gajendra Limbu missed the cut on count back after being tied on 151.

In the amateur section, Rahul Bishwakarma is at the top at 7-under 133 and he is nine strokes ahead of Padam and Prakrit. Four other amateur golfers, Sundar Rai, Ram Tamang, Jitendra Rai and Balram Poudel also made the cut.

The championship will end on Saturday with a Pro-Am event, offering amateur golfers a unique opportunity to team up with professionals in an exciting and engaging format.