Shivaram Shrestha’s fine form in the Surya Nepal Central Open has put him close to the Surya Nepal Central Open as the Nepal No 1 pro golfer stretched his lead to 10 strokes after the third round here at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club on Wednesday.

Shrestha carded a three-under 69 on Wednesday for the 54-hole total of 12-under 204 with his closest contender Bhuwan Nagarkoti returning an even-par 72 for a total of two-under 214. Amateur Tashi Tsering is third overall with even-par 216. On the third day of the first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2018-19, Tsering carded two-over 74 and is five-strokes ahead of next amateur, his own brother Wangchen Dhondup.

Dhana Thapa is fourth at two-over 218 following a three-over 75 on Wednesday. Dhondup is fifth at five-over 221, he carded four-over 76. Amateur Binod Tamang, who turned in the best card—six-under 66—of the tournament, is at the sixth spot with Rabi Khadka (73) at overall eight-over 224. Chuda Bahadur Bhandari (69) and Amateur Sunil KC are tied for eighth position at nine-over 225. Ram Krishna Shrestha (72) and Rame Magar (75) are tied 10th at 10-over 226.

Shrestha scored three-under 33 on the first half with birdies on second, third and sixth holes. On the second half, he made an eagle on the 12th hole but dropped shots on 13th and 17th holes for even-par 36. Nagarkoti scored even-par 36 on both sides. On the front nine, he made birdies on third and fifth holes and dropped shots on seventh and eighth. He made birdies on 12th and 13th and dropped shots on 11th and 16th holes in the back nine.

Tsering, in contrast, had a poor three-over 39 on the front nine. He made bogeys on second, sixth and seventh holes. On the back nine, he made eagle on 11th hole, birdies on 13th, and 18th holes against a bogey on 12th and double-bogey on 14th hole for one-under 35. Amateur Tamang shot two-under 34 on the front nine with an eagle on the third, birdie on the seventh against a one bogey on the eighth. On the back nine he made birdies on 11th, 12th, 17th and 18th for four-under 32.

A total of 30 professional golfers and 11 amateurs are taking part in the tournament. After the first two rounds, 22 professionals and nine amateurs had made the cut. The event carries a cash purse of Rs 661,500. The champion will pocket Rs 120,000 and the runner-up will earn Rs 77,000.