Sapkota and Shrestha were jointly on the top on Wednesday after carding 1-over 71 in the first round.[break]
Local pro Sapkota maintained same card on Thursday for a total of 2-over 142 while former No 1 Shrestha of Royal Nepal Golf Club suffered a four-over 74 on Thursday for a total of 5-over 145.
Another local player Suman Rai, who turned pro in November, shot one-over 71 totalling six-over 146 to remain in the third position. Deepak Neupane and Umesh Nagarkoti are tied for fourth with the total score of 147, while Sanjay Lama is sixth at 148.
Three players -- Tham Bahadur Rai, Deepak Thapa Magar and Surya Prasad Sharma -- shared the seventh spot with the score of 149. Ramesh Nagarkoti is 10th at 150, whereas Rabi Khadka and Mani Rai are tied 11th with the score of 151.
Leader Sapkota shot five birdies against six bogeys. On the front nine, Sabin carded birdies on the second, third, fifth and sixth holes, while he had bogeys on the fourth, seventh and eighth holes to take a turn at one-under 34. On the last nine holes, Sapkota shot three bogeys against a lone birdie.
In the Amateur section, Samundra Giri of Gokarna Golf Club opened up an eight-stroke lead over fellow club mate Dipendra Rayamajhi. Samundra, who had carded four-over 74 on the first day, shot six-over 76 for a total of 10-over 150, while Dipendra also carded 76 for a total of 158. Three players -- Rupendra Gurung, Jiwan Rai and Harka Rai -- are tied for third at 159.
A total of 20 professionals and five amateurs made the cut for the final round. The top three pros will receive Rs 80,000, Rs 51,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively.
Related story
Sapkota elected as vice-chairman of NTB Executive Committee
