Sabin Sapkota and Ramesh Nagarkoti were tied for the lead in the first round of the Surya Nepal Challenge golf tournament here at the par-67 Royal Nepal Golf Club (RNGC) on Tuesday.

Sapkota and Nagarkoti both carded two-under 65 on the opening day of the second event held under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2015-16. Top-ranked Shivaram Shrestha was in a group of four tied for third, one stroke adrift of the leaders. Shrestha, Yelamber Singh Adhikari, Jayaram Shrestha and Ramesh Adhikari all carded one-under 66.

The 2007 Surya Nepal Masters champion Deepak Thapa Magar and Dinesh Prajapati were in a tie for seventh at even-par 67, while Bhuwan Nagarkoti was alone at ninth after carding one-over 68. Tied for 10th place were Rabi Khadka, Rame Magar and Krishna Shrestha at two-over 69.

Sapkota sank three birdies and a double bogey in his front nine score of one-under 32, while he earned three shots against a double bogey in his back nine card of one-under 33. Nagarkoti also carded one-under on both halves. He sank three birdies against two bogeys in the first nine holes, while his final nine holes also included three birdies and two dropped shots. Shivaram sank birdies on the fourth and eight holes while dropping a shot at seventh in his front nine score of one-under 32. His back nine card included a birdie and a bogey.

Tanka Karki leads the amateur category with a card of three-over 70. Three shots behind in second was Prithvi Malla, while Pradeep Bikram Rana is a stroke further back at seven-over 74. In all, 36 golfers—29 pros and 7 amateurs—are participating in the four-day tournament organised by Nepal Professional Golfers Association.