Amateur golfer Binod Tamang signed off the first round of the Surya Nepal Challenge in a four-way tie for lead at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club (RNGC) on Tuesday.

Tamang carded two-under 66 to share the lead with professionals Sanjay Lama, Jayram Shrestha and Ram Krishna Shrestha in the sixth event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2018-19. Defending champion Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Bhuwan Kumar Rokka, Deepak Magar, Bishnu KC and Rame Magar along with amateur Subash Tamang were just one stroke adrift of the leaders at one-under 67 in a congested first round leaderboard. Another five golfers—pros Surya Prasad Sharma, Dinesh Prajapati, Pradeep Kumar Lama and Rabi Khadka were tied for 11th with amateur player Rahul BK at even-par 68.

The first round co-leader Lama shot three-under 31 on the front nine with an eagle on the first hole and a birdie on the fourth hole. Lama carded one-over 35 on the back nine with an eagle on the 13th against bogeys on the 10th, 15th and 18th holes. Jayaram carded one-over 35 on the front nine but recovered to a three-under 31 on the back nine. Jayram dropped shots on the second and seventh holes against a birdie on the fourth. On a bogey-free back nine, Jayaram sank birdies on the 11th, 14th and 16th holes.

Ram Krishna carded two-under 32 on the front nine with birdies on the second and ninth holes. On his back nine, Ram Krishna shot even-par 34 with a bogey on the 12th against a birdie on the 13th hole. Amateur golfer Tamang carded even-par 34 on the front nine and two-under 32 on the back nine. Binod sank birdies on the first and fourth holes against bogeys on the sixth and eighth holes. On the back nine, he had a bogey on the 14th against birdies on the 10th, 13th and 17th holes.

In all 33 pros and nine amateurs are participating in the tournament organised by Nepal Professional Golfers Association. The cut will be applied after the second round. Top 21 pros and ties along with top six amateurs will make it to the final 36 holes. The tournament offers Rs 441,000 in total prize money. The champion will receive Rs 84,000, runner-up earn Rs 53,000 and third-place pro will get Rs 37,000. Other pros to make the cut will also get their share of card rewards.