Kathmandu:  Defending champion Niraj Tamang carded 6-under 64 in the first round of Surya Nepal Eastern Open, the second event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2025-26, at the par-70 Dharan Golf Club on Wednesday.

Nepal No 1 pro Niraj opened up a three-stroke lead over Tanka Bahadur Karki and Bal Bhadra Rai. Tanka and Bal Bhadra both carded 3-under 67. Two former top pros Sukra Bahadur Rai and Bhuvan Nagarkoti share the fourth position at 1-under 69 along with amateur golfers Prakrit Tamang and Rahul Bishwakarma. Three pros, Rabi Khadka, Jayram Shrestha and Suman Pariyar are tied for eighth at even-par 70. 

Leader Niraj carded 3-under 33 on the front nine and he played 3-under 31 on the back nine. He dropped a shot on the second hole before firing four birdies on the third, fifth, sixth and ninth holes before taking the turn. He added four more birdies on the back nine, saving shots on 12th, 13th, 16th and 18th holes against a bogey on the 15th hole.

In the amateur section, Prakrit and Rahul shared the lead after both golfers carded 1-under 69. Ram Tamang is third at 1-over 71.

A total of 52 golfers, including 30 pros and 22 amateurs, are taking part in the 54-hole tournament organised by PGA Nepal under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. Cut will be applied after the second round. Top 18 professional golfers and amateurs making the pro cut will advance to the final round.

The tournament carries a prize purse of Rs 10,50,000. The tournament winner will receive Rs. 170,000, while the runner-up and third-place finisher will earn Rs. 125,000 and Rs. 100,000 respectively. Other pros in top 18 will receive their share of prize money.