Top-ranked Nepali golfer Shivaram Shrestha closed in on the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open title after extending his lead to six strokes going into the final round on Friday.

Shrestha, who has not relinquished the lead he took the first round, finished the third round at one-under 67 on Thursday, his worse card in three rounds. Yet it was still enough for the Nepal No 1 to extend the lead to six strokes as the chasing pack too failed to produce good scores. 

Shrestha had carded a 62 and 64 in the first two rounds and coupled with Thursday’s score, he goes into the final round with the overall card of 11-under 193.

Amateur golfer Sukra Bahadur Rai and pro Dhana Bahadur Thapa were tied for second at five-under 199 at the second event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2018-19. Held at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Course (RNGC), Rai carded even-par 68 and Dhana three-under 65.

Bikash Adhikari was in fourth at four-under 200 after carding two-over 70, while another amateur Tanka Bahadur Adhikari was next at 201 after shooting even-par 68. Rame Magar stayed in sixth at 203 as he shot three-over 71, while defending champion Bhuwan Nagarkoti shot three-under 65 to move up to seventh at even-par 204. Rajendra Thapa Magar was in eighth at 209. Deepak Magar and Jayaram Shrestha were tied for ninth at six-over 210.

Shrestha shot two-over 36 on the front nine but recovered with three-under 31 on the back nine. He had a double bogey on the second hole, bogeys on the third and sixth against birdies on the fourth and fifth. On his way back, the RNGC pro sank four birdies on the 10th, 13th, 14th and 16th against a bogey on the 15th hole.

Rai shot one-under 33 on the front nine and one-over 35 on the back nine. Rai dropped shots on the first and seventh holes against a birdie on the fifth. He also had a hole-in-one on the par-3 eighth hole. On the back nine, Rai sank a birdie on the 10th but his card was upset by bogeys on the 14th and 16th holes.      

Army Club pro Dhana carded one-over 35 on the front nine but improved on his way back with four-under 30. Dhana dropped shots on the third and ninth holes against a birdie on the seventh. On the back nine, he sank birdies on the 11th, 13th, 14th and 18th holes.

In all, 23 pro and six amateur golfers made the cut for the third and fourth round of the tournament organised by Nepal Professional Golfers Association. The tournament offers Rs 551,250 in total prize money. The eventual champion will receive Rs 95,000, runner-up will earn Rs 65,000 and third-place pro will get Rs 55,000. Other pros to make cut will also receive their share of cash rewards.