Kathmandu, June 17 -- Rabi Khadka topped the leaderboard at the end of Day 1 of the Surya Nepal Premier Golf Championship at par-72 Gokarna Golf Club in Kathmandu on Monday. Khadka holds a one-stroke lead over defending champion Subash Tamang.

Khadka carded a 5-under 67 in the first round, while Tamang carded a 4-under 68 in his first tournament of the season.

Khadka was hot on the front nine, firing a 4-under 32 with four consecutive birdies on the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth holes. He played 1-under 35 on the back nine after dropping a shot on the 13th hole against the 12th and 17th holes.

Meanwhile, Tamang took the turn at 1-over 37, and bounced back strongly with 5-under 31 on the back nine. He carded a birdie on the sixth hol...