Chanaka and Kaya in the lead for Sri Lankans rankings

By Shamseer Jaleel 

Veteran golfer Chanaka Perera (694) and 15-year-old youngster Kaya Daluwatte (1335) head the ranking for Sri Lankans at the end of 2023 for the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) leaderboard, securing the two highest spots among the Sri Lankans. 

Meanwhile, another sensational 15-year-old golfer, Reshan Algama secured 752nd position during the year end for 2023. These rankings speak high volume for the development of Junior Golf in the country which is the way forward in order to secure a medal for Sri Lanka either at Asian games or Olympics as golf is a fast growing sport in the Asian region. 

Reshan Algama entered as the youngest player in Sri Lanka to top the WAGR leaderboard during 2023. Algama not only won a tournament featuring the best of Amateurs but also clinched the National Ranking Champions title within an impressive span of 9 months. He accumulated valuable points during his international campaigns in the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia, showcasing his prowess on the global stage. With a peak rating of 584 in the world last month ended the year on 752nd position. He is also in the top of 125 among the Asian golfers. 

Other Sri Lankans followed by Chanaka Perera and Reshan Algama are Uchitha Ranasinghe (1002), Chalitha Puspika (1008), Haroon Aslam (1441), Yannik Kumara (2913), Nirek Tejwani (3129) and Kumar Danushan (3417). Chalitha Pushpika was in sparkling form in the recent tour to Malaysia representing Sri Lanka Golf ending among the leading golfers of the world. Yannik Kumara too ended 2023 on top form ending as the runner up at the Prima Junior Golf event is expected to rise up in early 2024 with his good form.

Meanwhile another junior sensational golfer Jevahn Sathasivam who accounted for the Prima Junior Golf title two weeks ago came storming into the ranking board with an entry of 4413. He is assured to rise up in the ranking with the future tournaments coming up his way. 

In women’s golf, Sri Lanka is represented by the formidable 15-year-old talent Kaya Daluwatta, currently studying and playing golf in India with a WAGR ranking of 1335. Although the top spot is held by Ingrid Lindblad from Sweden, Daluwatta’s rapid ascent is indicative of the promising future for Sri Lankan women in golf. With this, more girls are expected to take up the sport in the near future. 

Junior Development Committee headed by Niloo Jayathilake and her able team are doing a remarkable job. Sri Lanka Golf is also doing a pivotal role in facilitating the rise of national champions specially at Junior level.