Dharan: Defending champion and Nepal’s No. 1 professional golfer Niraj Tamang delivered an impressive opening-round performance at the Surya Nepal Eastern Open, carding a superb 6-under-par 64 to take a commanding lead on the first day of the tournament at the par-70 Dharan Golf Club.

The Eastern Open is the second event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2025–26, and Niraj’s strong start has placed him three strokes clear of his closest challengers, Tanka Bahadur Karki and Bal Bhadra Rai, who both finished the round at 3-under 67.

Two former top professionals, Sukra Bahadur Rai and Bhuvan Nagarkoti, are tied for fourth position at 1-under 69, alongside amateurs Prakrit Tamang and Rahul Bishwakarma. Three professionals: Rabi Khadka, Jayram Shrestha, and Suman Pariyar are tied for eighth place at even-par 70.

Niraj opened with a steady 3-under 33 on the front nine, despite an early bogey on the second hole. He bounced back strongly with birdies on the third, fifth, sixth, and ninth holes. Maintaining momentum on the back nine, he added birdies on the 12th, 13th, 16th, and 18th holes, offsetting a lone bogey on the 15th, to finish with 3-under 31 on the back nine.

Tanka Bahadur Karki turned at 1-under 35, recovering from a bogey on the second hole with birdies on the eighth and ninth. He produced a bogey-free back nine, adding birdies on the 14th and 18th holes to post 2-under 32.

Bal Bhadra Rai carded a bogey-free 2-under 34 on the front nine, with birdies on the third and seventh holes. After a bogey on the 10th, he finished strong with birdies on the 15th and 18th holes, signing off at 3-under 67.

In the amateur category, Prakrit Tamang and Rahul Bishwakarma share the lead at 1-under 69, while Ram Tamang sits third at 1-over 71.

A total of 52 golfers, including 30 professionals and 22 amateurs, are competing in the 54-hole tournament, organized by PGA Nepal under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt. Ltd. A cut will be applied after the second round, with the top 18 professional golfers and amateurs making the pro cut advancing to the final round.

The tournament carries a total prize purse of NPR 1,050,000, with the winner set to receive NPR 170,000, while the runner-up and third-place finisher will earn NPR 125,000 and NPR 100,000 respectively. Remaining professionals within the top 18 will also receive prize money.

The championship will conclude on Saturday, January 17, 2026, with a Pro-Am event, offering amateur golfers the unique opportunity to team up with professional players in an engaging and competitive format.

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