Shiva Ram Shrestha opened up an eight-stroke lead after the third round of the Surya Nepal Central Open at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club on Wednesday. Defending champion Shiva Ram carded seven-under 65 for a total of 14-under 216. Sanjay Lama of Army Club is second at six-under 210 after he played a round of two-under 70. RNGC’s Ram Thapa, who carded six-under 66, is third at four-under 212.

Shiva Ram carded five-under 31 and two-under 34. He carded birdies on the first, second, third, fifth, eighth and ninth holes on the front nine and faced a bogey on the sixth hole. On the back nine, Shiva Ram carded birdies on the 15th and 16th holes.

Sanjay took the turn at two-under 34. He sank an eagle on the par-5 third hole and carded a birdie on the second hole. He faced a bogey on the sixth hole. On the back nine, Sanjay carded a birdie on the 12th hole and faced a bogey on the 14th hole. Ram played three-under 33 on both the halves. On the front nine, Ram carded birdies on the third, fourth and eighth holes. On the back nine, he carded birdies on the 12th, 13th, 16th and 17th holes against a birdie on the 14th hole.

Ramesh Adhikari of RNGC is fourth at even-par 216, while Pashupati Sharma of Gokarna Golf Club is next with 217. First-round leader Ramesh Nagarkoti fell further to share the sixth position with two-over 218 with No 2 pro Rabi Khadka.

In Amateur section, Dinesh Prajapati opened up seven-stroke lead over Tirtha Poudel.
Dinesh carded two-over 74 for a total score of five-over 221. Tirtha also played 74 for a total of 12-over 228. Tanka Bahadur Karki is third at 229, while Bikash Bogati is next at 234.