Nagarkoti was only one of the two pros to return with an under-par card on the second day at the punishing course. The Gokarna Golf Club pro Nagarkoti carded two-under 68 today for a two-day score of two-under 138. Two strokes adrift at even-par 140 was the Royal Nepal Golf Club (RNGC) pro Surya Prasad Sharma. Sharma shot one-under 69 during the fourth event held under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2014-15.

Nagarkoti carded even-par 35 on the first nine that included birdies on the third and seventh against bogeys on fourth and ninth holes. On the back nine, he sank four birdies—on the 12th, 14th, 15th and 17th—against two bogeys on the 13th and 17th holes which ensured his lead on top of the standings.

Sharma shot two-under 33 in the first half but his one-over 36 in the latter half cost him the lead. Sharma dropped a shot on the second hole before sinking birdies on the 5th, 6th and 8th for the two-under first nine score. But he lost momentum in the back nine dropping a shot each on the 13th and 15th holes. His birdies on the final hole helped him close in on Nagarkoti to within two strokes going into the final round.

Dhana Thapa of the Tribhuvan Army Officers Golf Club was in the third at four-over 144 after a second round card of even-par 70. Shrestha brothers—Jayaram and Shivaram—shared fourth position at seven-over 147. Nepal No 1 and defending champion Shivaram carded even-par 70, while Jayaram played three-over 73. Nepal No 2 Rabi Khadka (74) and Sanjeev Bahadur Nepali (75) shared sixth position at 148 whereas Bhu Bahadur Gurung (71) and Sanjay Lama (78) were tied for eighth at nine-over 149. Ramesh Adhikari and Ramesh Nagarkoti were in a tie for the 10th place at 152.

Other pros making the cut for the money-making third and final round were Dinesh Prajapati, Rame Magar, Bikash Adhikari, Bal Bahadur Rai (Mani), Tham Bahadur Rai, Deepak Magar, Pashupati Sharma, Sachin Prasad Bhattarai, Rajendra Kumar Pradhan and Sabin Sapkota. The cut was applied at 24-0ver 164.

Arun Tamang leads the Amateur category after a two-round score of 154. Tamang carded three-over 73 on Thursday for a one-stroke lead ahead over Dal Lama, who also carded 73. Tanka Bahadur Karki was three shots behind Tamang at 157 after shooting nine-over 79. Other amateurs to survive the pro cut include overnight leader Sukra Bahadur Rai, Rajendra Shrestha, Sonam Bhujel, Kamal Thapa and Raju Rai.

In all, 21 professional and nine amateur golfers made the cut for final round. Top three golfers will earn Rs 95,000, Rs 60,000, Rs 44,000 respectively.