Bikash Bogati took the first day honour, opening up two stroke lead over his nearest rival Maj Nischaya Rayamajhi after the first round of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour Qualifying School 2015-16 here at the Royal Nepal Golf Club (RNGC) on Tuesday.

Bogati carded two-over 69, two strokes ahead of Rayamajhi in the par-67 RNGC course. Shivaram Poudel was next at eight-over 75. Bogati shot one-over 34 in the first nine holes before another one-over 35 in the back nine. He parred the first five holes, sank a birdie but dropped two shots with bogeys on the eighth and ninth. His back nine card included two birdies—on the par-par 13th and par-4 17th—against three bogeys on the 14th, 15th and 18th holes.

Maj Rayamajhi carded two bogeys on the front nine before closing out the back nine with identical two-over 36 on the last nine holes. His sole birdie came on the 12th hole as he ruined his card by dropping shots on the 13th, 15th and 18th hole. Poudel shot one-over 34 in the first nine and seven-over 41 in the last nine holes. Dinesh Nagarkoti was fourth at 76, Krishna Murari Sapkota fifth at 77 while Dal Lama, Rohit Acharya, Kishan Kaliraj and Samyog Shahi tied for sixth at 81.

In all, 12 amateur golfers are participating in the tournament played under strokeplay format over 54 holes for the five available professional cards for this season. The scoring limit has been set for 22-over in 54 holes. Golfers earning the pro card will be eligible to take part in the Surya Nepal Golf Tour.