Surya Nepal Challenge: Bhuvan Nagarkoti Takes Three-Stroke Lead into Final Round
21st May 2026, Kathmandu
Bhuvan Nagarkoti opened up a three-stroke lead over Sukra Bahadur Rai after third round of Surya Nepal Challenge, the seventh event under Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2025-26, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Thursday.
Surya Nepal Challenge Bhuvan
Former Nepal No 1 pro Bhuvan carded 3-under 65 for 54-hole score of 11-under 193. He opened up three-stroke lead over Sukra, who carded an even-par 68 to slip to second with total score of 8-under 196.
Reigning Nepal No 1 pro Niraj Tamang and Dhana Bahadur Thapa are tied for third at 7-under 197. Niraj carded 6-under 62 to climb up the leaderboard, while Dhana remained at third after a round of 2-under 66.
Rame Magar and Dinesh Prajapati along with amateur Rahul Bishwakarma shared the fifth position at 5-under 199. Rame and Dinesh both carded 2-under 66, while Rahul fired a 3-under 65.
Tanka Bahadur Karki carded 6-under 62 to move up to eighth at 4-under 200, while Rabi Khadka is ninth at 2-under 202 after a round of 2-under 66. Bhuwan Kumar Rokka is 10th at 1-under 203 after he played 2-over 70 in the third round.
Overnight co-leader Bhuvan carded 2-under 32 on the front nine and added 1-under 33 on the back nine. He started the day with a birdie on the first hole and added two more on the fourth and fifth holes before dropping a shot on the eighth hole.
After the turn, Bhuvan carded two straight birdies on the 10th and 11th holes before facing a bogey on the 16th hole. Sukra, who shared the lead with Bhuvan after second round, carded even-par 34 on both halves.
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He faced bogeys on the third and sixth holes against birdies on the first and fourth holes. On the back, he carded a birdie on the 13th and dropped a shot on the 16th hole.
Nepal No 1 pro Niraj carded a bogey-free 4-under 30 on the front nine with the help of birdies on the first, second, fourth and eighth holes. He carded 2-under 32 on the back nine.
He carded three birdies on the 10th, 11th and 13th holes before facing the lone bogey of the day on the 16th hole. Dhana shot 1-under 33 on both halves. After dropping a shot on the third hole, he carded birdies on the fourth and eighth holes. After the turn, Dhana carded birdies on the 14th and 15th holes before dropping a shot on the 16th hole.
In amateur section, Rahul opened up a five-stroke lead of Swapnil Bhattarai. Rahul is tied for fifth overall at 5-under 199. Swapnil carded 1-over 69 in the third round for total score of even-par 204. Kabi Thapa is third at 208 after a round of 1-under 67.
A total of 52 golfers, 39 pros and 13 amateurs, are taking part in the 72-hole tournament organised by PGA Nepal under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd.
The event carries a total cash purse of Rs 710,000. The winner will receive Rs 130,000, while the runner-up will earn Rs 90,000 and the third-place finisher will take home Rs 70,000.
The fourth and fifth positions will receive Rs 55,000 and Rs 46,000 respectively. Cash prizes will also be awarded to all professionals finishing within the top 18 positions.
For more: Surya Nepal Challenge Bhuvan
