The Royal Nepal Golf Club (RNGC) pro scored two-under 34 on either half to take a one-stroke lead over clubmate Ramesh Adhikari, who registered a card of three-under 69. [break]
Mani Rai from Dharan and Sanjay Lama of RNGC are jointly in the third position as they carded two-under 70.
Four pros -- Yelamber Singh Adhikari, Deepak Acharya, Deepak Neupane and Umesh Nagarkoti -- share the fifth position with even-par 72. Two-time defending champion Shiva Ram Shrestha had a forgettable day, shooting four-over 76.
The Nepal No 1 played five-over on the front nine and shot one-under on the last nine holes.
Leader Khadka carded two birdies on the third and fourth holes to take a turn at two-under 34. He went four-under after sinking an eagle on the 12th hole before dropping a shot on the next hole. A birdie on the 16th hole meant Khadka finished the day at four-under.
Gokarna pro Pashupati Sharma withdrew after nine holes after injuring his wrist.
A total of 40 golfers -- 28 pros and 12 amateurs -- tee off in the third edition of the tournament sponsored by two-time World Cup player and first professional player of Nepal, Ghana Shyam Thapa.
Out of the total cash prize of Rs 300,000, the top three pros will receive Rs 60,000, Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000, respectively. Others in the top 20 who survive the cut after the second round will also get their share of the prize money.
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