Bhuwan Nagarkoti of Gokarna Golf Club clinched the Surya Nepal Challenge, the third event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2017-18, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club (RNGC) on Thursday.

Nagarkoti never relinquished the lead he took in the first round to win the third career title by six strokes. Nagarkoti carded even-par 68 in the final round for a total of 10-under 262 while his nearest challenger Dhana Bahadur Thapa ended up at four-under 268 after carding three-under 65 on Thursday.

Nagarkoti had previously won Surya Nepal Western Open in 2014 and Surya Nepal Eastern Open in 2015. Apart from the champion’s trophy, he earned Rs 80,000. Nagarkoti carded one-under 33 on the front nine and one-over 35 on the back nine. He sank birdies on the fourth and sixth against a bogey on the fifth hole. On the back nine, Nagarkoti made a birdie on the 17th but shots on the 13 and 18th holes.

Runner-up Army Club pro Dhana walked away with Rs 50,000. Veteran RNGC pro Deepak Magar carded two-under 66 for the total of two-under 270 to finish third. Magar received Rs 35,000.

Rabi Khadka finished fourth with the total card of even-par 272 after shooting even-par 68 on Thursday. Bhuwan Kumar Rokka shot a 69 to finish in fifth at 275. Khadka won Rs 27,000 and Rokka got Rs 23,000. Ramesh Nagarkoti finished in sixth at 276 and Yelamber Singh Adhikari in seventh at 277. Surya Prasad Sharma and Rame Magar finished tied for eighth at 278. Top-ranked pro Shivaram Shrestha finished in 10th at 279.

Dhana Thapa carded two-under 32 on the front nine with birdies on the third and sixth holes. On his way back, Dhana shot one-under 33 with birdies on the 12th and 17th holes against a bogey on the 16th. Magar shot even-par 34 on the front nine and two-under 32 on the back nine. He sank birdies on the fourth and fifth against bogeys on the third and seventh holes. On the back nine, Magar earned shots on the 12th and 13th holes.

Tanka Bahadur Karki claimed the amateur category championship with the total card of nine-over 281. Karki shot even-par 69 in the final round. Subash Ghising finished in distant second, eight strokes behind the champion. Ghising carded four-over 72 on Thursday for a four-round total of 289. Mithun Rai ended up in third at 309.

In all, 40 golfers—30 pros and 10 amateurs—took part in the tournament organised by Nepal Professional Golfers Association. The tournament offered Rs 420,000 in total prize money with all the pro making the cut earning their share of cash rewards.