Bhuvan Nagarkoti took a one-stroke lead in the 26th edition of the Surya Nepal Western Open being held at the Himalayan Golf Course on Thursday.

Bhuvan, who played a 3-under 66 on the second day, surpassed Shukra Bahadur Rai by one stroke with a total score of 3-under 135. Shukra shot a 2-under 67 to move into second place with a total score of 2-under 136.

Jayaram Shrestha, who scored a 1-over 70, moved into third place with a total score of 1-over 139. Sanjay Lama moved up to fourth place with a total score of 2-over 140. He carded a 1-over 70 for the second consecutive day. Joint leader on the first day, Bhu Bahadur Gurung, shot a 5-over 74. He dropped to fifth place with a total score of 5-over 143, while domestic pro Bhu Bahadur dropped to fifth place.

Ramesh Adhikari, who scored a 6-over 144, finished in 4-over 73. He finished sixth. Suresh Tamang and Bhuwan Kumar Rokka shared seventh place with an overall score of 7 over 145. Suresh played 2 over 71 and Bhuwan played 4 over 73. Ravi Khadka, who scored 4 over 73, is ninth with an overall score of 8 over 146 and Nepal's number one golfer Neeraj Tamang is tenth with an overall score of 9 over 147. Neeraj played 4 over 73.

Bhuwan, who has won two consecutive tournaments before, finished the front nine at 2-under 32 to take a single lead at the top. He achieved birdie success on the third, fourth, fifth and ninth holes. He made a double bogey on the 5-par sixth hole. After this, he saved one shot each on the 10th and 13th holes and a bogey on the 11th hole to complete the back nine at 1 under 34.

Shukra made bogeys on the first, third and seventh holes to finish the front nine at 1 over 35. He saved shots on the second and sixth holes. After this, he managed to score 3-under 32 on the back nine. He birdied the 10th, 15th and 17th holes.

Jayaram played the front nine 1-over 35 after bogeying the second and fourth holes against the birdie on the third hole. After this, a birdie on the 10th hole and a bogey on the 18th hole made the back nine even-par 35.

Rahul Vishwakarma is at the top with an 8-stroke lead in the amateur category. He scored an overall score of 3-over 141 including a 3-over 72. Rahul, who was joint-top on the first day, slipped to fifth place overall. Kishan Pariyar finished the second day with a 3-over 72. He scored an overall score of 11-over 149. These two were the only ones to make the cut on the amateur category.