December 9: Bhuvan Nagarkoti won the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Friday.

Bhuvan carded four-under 64 to post the 72-hole total of 14-under 258 and recorded a nine-stroke victory over Dinesh Prajapati. Bhuvan claimed his 10th career title along with a cheque of Rs 116,000.

Dinesh produced the best card of the day carding six-under 62 for the score of five-under 267 and moved up to second. He earned 78,000. Nepal No 1 Sukra Bahadur Rai slipped to third after he played even-par 68 and received Rs 63,000. Leader of first two rounds, Rabi Khadka played a round of four-over 72 and finished fourth at three-over 275. He earned Rs 50,000. Ramesh Adhikari came fifth at five-over 277 after he played one-over 69 and received Rs 43,000.

Bhuvan, who went into the final round with a nine-shot lead, carded one-under 33 on the front nine and added three-under 31 on the back nine. He dropped a shot on the second hole and bounced back with birdies on the third and fifth holes. With no one pushing from behind, Bhuvan carded birdies on the 11th, 13th and 14th holes to cap a bogey-free back nine.

Second-placed Dinesh carded seven birdies and faced a bogey on the final round as he overtook Nepal No 1 pro Sukra in final standing. He carded two-under 32 on the front nine and shot four-under 30 on the back nine. He made birdies on the second, third and sixth holes before dropping a shot on the ninth. After taking the turn, Dinesh carded four birdies on the 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th holes.

In Amateur section, Ajit BK won the title with the score of 17-over 289. Ajit played six-over 74 in the final round, but that was enough for him to register 22-stroke victory over Suresh Tamang. Suresh played four-over 72 for the total score of 311.

A total of 36 golfers -- 31 pros and five amateurs -- took part in the season-opening event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23. The event carries a cash purse of Rs 670,000. Marketing Manager of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Keshav Pradhan  and President of PGA Nepal Rabindra Man Shrestha handed over the prizes to the winners.