Sukra Bahadur Rai took one stroke lead over fellow amateur Subash Tamang and pro Bhuwan Nagarkoti after carding two-under 70 on a difficult scoring condition during the third round of the Surya Nepal Premier Golf Championship on Wednesday.

Only four golfers, two of them amateurs, returned with under-par card at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club. Rai, who started the third round two strokes behind overnight leader Tamang in joint second with Jayaram Shrestha, stayed calm while others’ challenge fizzled out. Rai will start the final round at six-under 210. Nagarkoti and Tamang were tied for the second at five-under 211 after the third round. Nagarkoti carded three-under 69 and Tamang shot one-over 73.

Another amateur Tashi Tshiring carded three-under 69 for a total of two-under 214. Sanjok Moktan and Dhana Bahadur Thapa are at even-par 216. Moktan shot one-over 73 and Thapa carded two-over 74. Bikash Adhikari, amateur Tanka Bahadur Karki and Ramesh Adhikari were placed at one-over 217. Adhikari shot one-over 73, Karki played two-over 74 and Adhikari shot four-over 76. Jayaram played a horrible round of six-over 78 that saw him drop to 10th place with Rame Magar (74) at four-over 220. Jayaram had started the day just two strokes behind overnight leader Tamang.

The third round leader carded two-under 34 on the front nine with birdies on the fourth, seventh and ninth holes against a bogey on the second. On the back nine, Rai sank birdies on the 10th, 12th and 15th against a double-bogey on the 11th and a bogey on the 17th for an even-par 36.

Nagarkoti shot three-under 33 on the front nine with birdies on the second, fourth and eighth holes. On his way back, Nagarkoti sank birdies on the 12th and 17th holes against a double-bogey on the 15th for an even-par 36. Tamang shot one-over 37 on the front nine with a birdie on the seventh against two bogeys on the sixth and eighth holes. On the back nine, Tamang made a birdie on the 10th against a bogey on the 14th hole.

Tashi Tshiring carded four-under 32 on the front nine with birdies on the second, third, sixth and seventh holes. On the back nine, Tshiring sank birdies on the 12th and 18th but had a bogey on 14th and a double-bogey on the 15th for one-over 37. Moktan carded one-under 35 on the front nine and two-over 38 on the back nine. Dhana Thapa carded even-par 36 on the front nine and two-over 38 on the back nine. The only other pro to break the par in the third round was the Royal Nepal Golf Club pro Rabi Khadka, who shot three-under 69. But he is languishing 10 shots adrift of the leader at 220.

In all, 28 pros and eight amateurs will play the final round of the ninth and final event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2018-19. The tournament offers Rs 1.26 million in total prize money with the winners taking home Rs 230,000. The runner-up will get Rs 140,000 and the third-placed pro will earn Rs 95,000. Other pros to finish inside 24 places will also earn their share of cash rewards.