Defending champion Uttam Singh Mundy continued his love story with the Surya Nepal Masters and the magnificent par-72 Gokarna Forest Golf Resort as he matched his own course record of seven-under 65 for the second successive day to make a perfect start to his title defence at the Rs one million Surya Nepal Masters, in Kathmandu on Friday.

Mundy enjoyed a two-stroke advantage over veteran Shiv Prakash, who was second at five-under 67, while 2001 champion Mukesh Kumar, Gaurav Ghei and Rafiq Ali were tied third at four-under 68. Local hope Deepak Acharya, best placed among the Nepalese pros, and Divijay Singh were joint sixth at three-under 69.

Mundy started from the first tee and was relentless as he completed the round with seven birdies. On the front nine, he made birdies on the first, third, fourth, seventh and eighth and saved further strokes on the 12th and 17th. The birdie on the tough par-3 eighth was special, as he drained a 25-feet putt from just off the fringe.

"I could have re-written the course record had I not missed a four-footer birdie opportunity on the 16th hole. But I have no complains as I played really solid," said the Indian Airlines-sponsored Mundy, winner of the Hindu Open this season.

In the last four years, the twice winner of Surya Nepal Masters has never finished worse than fourth.

"I love this course. The layout is great and the greens are just outstanding. They hold so well that it is like playing darts with your approach shots. And they are extremely true and fast," said Mundy, when asked about his success at the Gokarna Forest Golf Resort.

Shiv Prakash proved he is still a force to reckon with despite being on the wrong side of forty. The Kanpur pro, whose last victory on the Hero Honda Golf Tour came at the SRF Matchplay in March 2002, slotted in six birdies and a three-putt bogey on the 17th hole for his 67.

"I am very happy with my score, though I could have putted a bit better. Now that I am an old man on the tour, you can consider this a fluke," quipped the veteran who has been a consistent performer despite suffering from high diabetes in the last couple of years.

Ghei, who could not catch even a single practice round as he dashed across the globe from Kiawah Island, where he represented India in the World Cup of Golf, showed no signs of jet lag as he returned a solid round of 68 with two birdies and an eagle.

Mukesh, 'Champion Golfer' for the last four seasons, made six birdies, but bogies on the par-5 seventh and 15th frustrated the Mhow player.

"It hurts to ruin a good round with bogies on par-5s, especially when you should make
birdies there," said Mukesh after the round.