Local pro Niraj Tamang carded a bogey-free 8-under 62 in the first round of the Surya Nepal Eastern Open, the third event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2024-25, at the par-70 Dharan Golf Club on Wednesday.

Tamang carded a new course record with the help of six birdies and sank an eagle to make a flying start on his home course, opening up a four-stroke lead over Dhana Bahadur Thapa, who carded a 4-under 66.

Bhuwan Kumar Rokka is third after he carded 3-under 67, while Yuvaraj Bhujel, Bishnu Prasad Sharma and amateur Sunder Rai are tied for fourth at 2-under 68.

Top pro Bhuvan Nagarkoti, local pro Bal Bhadra Rai and amateur Jitendra Rai share seventh position at 1-under 69. Ramesh Adhikari, who had a hole-in-one on hole number eight, is tied with Rame Magar, Sunil KC, Rabi Khadka and amateur Suresh Tamang in the 10th position at 1-over 71.

Leader Tamang carded 4-under 32 on the front nine with the help of birdies on the third, fifth, sixth and ninth holes. He then sank an eagle on the 12th hole and carded birdies on the 15th and 18th holes to finish the back nine at 4-under 30.

Thapa took the turn at 2-under 34 after he dropped a shot on the second hole and carded birdies on the third, eighth and ninth holes.

The Army Club pro carded 2-under 32 on the back nine. He faced a bogey on the 13th hole against birdies on the 12th, 16th and 18th holes.

Rokka carded 2-under 34 on the front nine and played 1-under 33 on the back nine. He began the day with a bogey on the first hole before carding birdies on the third, seventh and ninth holes. After taking the turn, Rokka carded birdies on the 15th and 18th holes and faced a bogey on the 17th hole.

A total of 29 professional golfers and 27 amateurs are participating in the event organised by the PGA Nepal under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd. Cut will be applied after 36 holes and top 21 pros and amateurs making the pro cut will advance to the final round. The event carries a cash purse of Rs882,000.

The champion will take home Rs150,000, while the runner-up will receive Rs100,000. The third-place golfer will earn Rs75,000. The top 21 pros will secure a share of the prize money.

The Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2024-25 features a total of eight tournaments, offering a combined prize pool of Rs6.732 million for the season.