The Surya Nepal Western Open golf tournament tees off here at the Himalayan Golf Course in Pokhara on Wednesday.

In all, 33 professional and 24 amateur golfers will rub their shoulders in the 54-hole event. The fifth event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2018-19 concludes on Saturday with a Pro-Am where local amateurs will get a much needed exposure playing alongside top golfers of the country.

The tournament offers Rs 661,500 in total prize money with the champions assured of Rs 120,000. The first runner-up will get Rs 77,000 and the second runner-up will receive Rs 55,000. Others in the top 21 will also receive their share of cash rewards. Defending champion Dhana Thapa, Shivaram Shrestha, Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Sanjay Lama and Rame Magar are the major contenders for the title.

Sukra Bahadur Rai, Tanka Bahadur Karki, Subash Tamang, Ajit BK and Suresh Tamang will battle it out for the amateur championship.