Kathmandu: Former top pro Sukra Bahadur Rai claimed Surya Nepal Challenge at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club with a course record total on Friday.

Sukra carded 6-under 62 in the fourth and final round for the winning total of 17-under 255 at the RNGC.

He eclipsed the previous best score of 15-under 257 set by Amateur Sadbhav Acharya on his way to winning the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open earlier this year.

Sukra finished four-stroke ahead of fellow Dharan pro Niraj Tamang to claim his 11th major career title. He received Rs110,000 as prize money.

Niraj finished second at 13-under 259 after he carded 6-under 62 and walked away with Rs70,000. Dinesh Prajapati carded 3-under 65 and came third at 8-under 264. He received Rs50,000.

Bhuwan Kumar Rokka finished fourth at 7-under 265 after he shot 1-over 69. He received Rs 42,000. Sanjay Lama carded 3-under 65 and came fifth at 5-under 267. He earned Rs37,000.

Three pros Toran Bikram Shahi, Rabi Khadka and Basanta Raj Gurung shared the sixth position at 4-under 268. Toran played 1-under 67, Rabi carded 2-under 66 and Basanta carded 3-under 65. They earned Rs30,000 each.

Nepal No 1 pro Bhuvan Nagarkoti (66) was ninth at 1-under 271, Ramesh Adhikari (69) was 10th at 2-over 274. They received Rs24,000 and Rs21,000 respectively.

Winner Sukra was three strokes ahead of Bhuwan going into the final round and he extended the lead with four consecutive birdies on the second, third, fourth and fifth holes.

Sukra took the turn at 4-under 30 and he opened up a six-stroke lead over Niraj and Bhuwan after the completion of the front nine.

Niraj carded 2-under 32 on the front nine while Bhuwan played 1-under 33. Sukra began the back nine with an eagle on the 10th hole and carded birdies on the 13th and 14th holes. He dropped shots on the 12th and 18th holes to finish the back nine at 2-under 32.

National team golfer Rahul Biswakarma won the amateur section title with the total score of 3-over 275. Rahul played 2-over 70 in the final round and pulled off a one-stroke victory over Nischaya Jung Rayamajhi. Nischaya played second consecutive 2-over 70 for a total score of 276.

A total of 47 golfers including 36 pros and 11 amateurs took part in the 72-hole tournament.

Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Deputy General Manager (Marketing) Keshav Pradhan and PGA Nepal President Rabindra Man Shrestha among others handed over prizes to the winners.