Thailand, Indian players outclass Sri Lankans

Saturday, 26 April 2014 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Thailand’s Nattawat completely outclassed Sri Lanka’s Vinod Kumar whipping him 7/5 whilst India’s Giant Udayan Mani squashed little Arumugam, Sri Lanka’s other hopeful also by the same margin 7/5 setting up a much awaited tussle between Thailand and India at the top of the draw.

These were the key highlights on Day 4 of the 127th Sri Lanka Amateur Golf Championships 2014 organised by the Sri Lanka Golf Union at Nuwara Eliya Golf Club. Keeping Sri Lanka’s hopes alive was Royal Colombo Golf Club gym instructor N. Ranga who exercised his authority over Bangladesh’s last hope Sajib Ali without too much stretching and was back relaxing in the clubhouse area after winning 4/3. Pakistan too bowed out after putting up some resistance but Salman Jehangir having had a tough match in the morning could not repeat his performance going down tamely to Chanachok 4/2 and making the prospects of an all-Thai final a greater possibility. In the morning session Thailand continued their domination with both their players Nattawat and Chanachok making it through to the Super 8 being played in Nuwara Eliya under perfect weather conditions. Nattawat was back early after winning 8/6 against Sri Lanka’s Chalitha Pushpika, while Chanachok needed five birdies to Aman Raj’s 3 before making it to the winners’ enclosure. Out of 22 Sri Lankans in the starting line of 32 qualifiers, 19 fell in the morning leaving two former national players Arumugam and Ranga to support Vinod Kumar a Sri Lanka B team player in taking on the five

foreign invaders left in the Quarter-final in the afternoon session. India’s Udayan Mane was in a comfort zone against Ismail from Bangladesh winning easily 4/3. Second seed Sajib Ali from Bangladesh however insured his place with a stunning run of four birdies in five holes to dispose of Sri Lanka’s young up and coming hopeful Zaffar Sikkander who played a steady game but could not pull out any miracles before losing 5/4. K. Soundarajan could not follow in his brother K. Prabagaran’s (former multiple national title holder and current title holder of the Sri Lanka Open as a professional) but gave his local supporters plenty to cheer until the last hole when his drive clipped a tree and he fluffed a possible recovery chip to finally concede the match against Salman Jehangir from Pakistan who was sitting pretty just six feet from the cup for an eagle 3. The pretty young Indian Ladies charmed everyone around them and are preparing for a clean sweep as they take each other on in the 36 hole final tomorrow. Top Seed Tvesa Malik was back for morning tea after an early start completely overwhelming Sri Lanka’s Michelle Mirchandani 8/6 whilst former National title holder Suwen Selvaratnam could do little to stop Astha Madan from joining her compatriot’s table after another early finish of 6/5.