Jayram Shrestha opened up a two-stroke lead over Rabi Khadka in the first round of the Surya Nepal NPGA Tour Championship here on Monday.

Jayram carded four-under 68 at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Course. Khadka was tied for second with amateur golfer Tashi Tshiring at two-under 70 in the final event held under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2015-16. Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Ramesh Adhikari, Sanjay Lama and amateur Tanka Karki were tied for fourth at one-over 73. Amateur Prithivi Malla carded two-over 74 to stay eighth. Nepal No 1 Shiva Ram Shrestha turned in a card of three-over 75. Ramesh Nagarkoti and amateur Gajendra Gurung were next at four-over 76.

Jayram carded three-under 33 in the first nine with birdies on second, third and seventh holes. In the second nine, he sank birdies on 10th and 12th holes against a bogey on the last for a 35. Khadka carded one-under 35 on either halves. On the front nine, Khadka sank a birdie on the fifth hole, while his back nine card included birdies on par-5s, 11th, 12th and 15th against bogeys on 16th and 18th.

Tshiring also carded one-under 35 on each half. In all, 46 golfers including 15 amateurs are in fray for title. The cut will be applied after the second round with top 21 pros and six amateurs making it to the final two rounds.