Sanjay Lama carded two-under 67 to open up two-stroke lead in the first round of the Surya Nepal Western Open at the par-69 Himalayan Golf Course on Wednesday.

Lama carded one-under 34 on the front nine with a lonely birdie on the eight hole. On the back nine, he sank birdies on 11th and 15th holes against a bogey on 12th for one-under 33. Nepal No 1 Shivaram Shrestha was in second two strokes behind Lama at even-par 69. The Royal Nepal Golf Club pro Shrestha sank birdies on third and seventh hole for a two-under 33 on the front nine. On the back nine, he started with double-bogey and added bogey on the 12th before making a birdie on the final hole for two-over 36.

Amateur Sukra Bahadur Rai and Jayaram Shrestha were at one-over 70 while Bhuwan Nagarkoti was further one stroke behind at two-over 71. Local pro Kamal Tamang, Rabi Khadka, amateurs trio Rahul BK, Jiwan Rai and Ajit BK scored three-over 72. Bhuwan Kumar Rokka, Rame Magar, Dhana Bahadur Thapa, Krishna Man Rajbahak, and Surya Prasad Sharma carded four-over 73.

Jayaram started with a double-bogey on the first hole, dropped another shot on the second but fought back with birdies on fifth, sixth and ninth holes for even-par 35 on the front nine. On his way back, Jayaram made a bogey on the 10th hole for one-over 35. Amateur Sukra Rai carded three-over 38 on the front nine. Rai had two straight bogeys on the opening holes but sank a birdie on the third before dropping more shots on the sixth and ninth holes. On the back nine, Rai recovered with birdies on 10th and 15th holes for two-under 32.

Nagarkoti carded two-over 37 on the front nine and even-par 34 on the back nine. Nagarkoti made a double-bogey on fifth, bogey on sixth against a birdie on the ninth hole. On the back nine, he sank birdies on 15th and 16th against bogeys on 12th and 14th holes.

In all, 57 golfers—33 pros and 24 amateurs—are taking part in the fifth event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2018-19. Cut will be applied after the second round with top 21 pros and six amateurs making it to the final round. Also, amateurs who survive the pro-cut will be eligible to play the final round. The event offers Rs 661,500 in total prize money. The top three pros will receive Rs 120,000, Rs 77,000 and Rs 55,000 respectively. Other pros to make the cut are also assured of their share of cash rewards.