Saturday Nov 16, 2024
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By Shamseer Jaleel
Sri Lanka’s young golfing sensations, Jevahn Sathasivam and Kaya Daluwatte, both accounted for wins at the 133rd Sri Lanka Amateur Open Golf 2024, which concluded at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) last weekend.
Over 100 golfers took part, with some leading golfers from India, Pakistan, and the UAE teeing off at this annual event, which is the second oldest event played outside of the UK.
16-year-old Sathasivam, a student from Asian International School, is one of the youngest to win the tournament in his very first attempt, which is remarkable. Sathasivam was placed 31st on day one and 19th seed on day two of the stroke play qualifiers coming into the
match play.
He proved that he is the best in this format, taking down Adithya Weerasinghe, Chalitha Pushpika, and Kumar Dhanushan, and getting the better of long-hitting Indian Varun Muththappa in the semi’s to get to the final. In the final, he edged out Indian golfer Shamit Dakane 2/1 to secure the win.
Meanwhile, Kaya Daluwatte, another 16-year-old golfer who studies and plays in India, beat Anumi Karunathilake, Y.J. Choi, and Anouk Chitty in the final. Kaya was eight up after the morning round of 18 holes and was conceded a walkover in the afternoon by Chitty.
The F.B. De Mel Cup final encounter was won by Elsie Pathmanathan, beating Sithara Lawrence 2/1.
Chalitha Pushpika and Chanaka Perera teamed up to form the Sri Lankan doubles to beat the Pakistan team to win the Zia Ul Haq Trophy encounter.