Jacob creates major shock on day two

 Anumi Karunathilaka

Jacob Norton

By Shamseer Jaleel

Jacob Norton created a major shock on day two when he won his Under 18 Gold Segment encounter, sending a shockwave by defeating the much fancied Reshan Algama. 

Jacob played a steady first seven to strategically hold off Reshan and then turn the heat on to win in the end at the Sri Lanka Junior Match-Play Championship 2024 played for the Rukmini Kodagoda Trophy at the Royal Colombo Golf Club, which is sponsored by Perera and Sons for a record ninth year in running, supporting junior golf in the country.

Meanwhile, Indian golfer Manoj Sreeramappa secured his semi-final berth overcoming Vinuda Weerasinghe. Another sensational prospect, Yannik Kumara, overcame Nirwan Hettiarachchi while the last semi-final berth was won by Jevahn Sathasivam, one of the strong contenders for Gold, fresh from his Scotland tour, overcoming another top class junior, Abinav Baskar from India.

In the Gold and Silver Division for the girls, the fast and improving Anumi Karunathilaka from the Central region, one of the top contenders for this segment, showed her class when she overcame Nisini Gunawardhana. Sithara Lorance, Kaitlyn Norton and Dhanushi Wanasinghe too booked their semi-final berths.

The Silver Division for the boys saw Kaiyan Johnpillai, Adithya Weerasinghe, Thejas Rathis Kanth, and Varuna Fernando booking their semi-final places for day three.

In the Bronze segment, it was Lavidhu Premarathna, Danik Daluwatte, Revaan Amarasinghe, and Udeera Bandara who booked their semi-final spots for day three.

The Copper division too witnessed some outstanding games by Yuvan Rathis Kanth, Sashen de Silva, Jaeden Sathasivam, and Abiman Abeywardhana moving to the top four.

 Gold Division – Boys

Manoj Sreeramappa (India) beat Vindu Weerasinghe 3/2, Jacob Norton beat Reshan Algama 5/4, Yannik Kumara beat Nirwan Hettiarachchi 5/4, Jevahn Sathasivam beat Abinav Baskar (India) 3/2

 Gold and Silver Division – Girls

Anumi Karunathilaka beat Nisini Gunawardhana 8/6, Sithara Lorance beat Araadhi Samararatne 6/4, Kaitlyn Norton beat Amandi Umaya 7/6, Dhanushi Wanasinghe beat Thiumi Gunasekera 5/4

 Silver Division – Boys

Kaiyan Johnpillai beat David Herath 7/6, Adhithya Weerasinghe beat Shenal Nimsith 4/2, Thejas Rathis Kanth beat Kaveesha Sadaruwan 7 up, Varuna Fernando beat Pabasara Kavishka 9 up

 Bronze Division – Boys

Lavidhu Premarathna beat Aqeel Hussain 10/8, Danik Daluwatte beat Kenul Scofield (Ananda) 9/8, Revaan Amarasinghe beat Ronal Scofield (Ananda) 7/6, Udeera Bandara beat Y. Abinesh 9/8

Copper Division – Boys

Yuvan Rathis Kanth beat Vallen Menezes 8/6, Sashen de Silva beat Dhyana Perera 4/2, Jaeden Sathasivam beat Jaith Guruge 8/6, Abiman Abeywardhana beat Richard Magala 6/4