Vijitha Bandara in clear lead

The UTE CAT Sri Lanka Golf Open Championship 2012, sponsored by UTE and co-Sponsored by CML  MTD Construction and Heladiv Foods, had a sensational twist on day two with overnight joint leader Vijitha Bandara shooting a career best 9 under par gross 62 (1 stroke shy of the RCGC course record) to establish a clear 7 stroke lead from Tissa Chandradasa, the joint leader after day one.

Vijitha Bandara played immaculate golf scoring 7 birdies and an eagle on the par 5, seventh hole without any blemish, making par on the balance 10 holes. Tissa Chandradasa scored 2 under par to be 7 strokes behind the leader while Lalith Kumara maintained his third place, a further 2 strokes behind.

The leading Sri Lankan professionals Anura Rohana and Mithun Perera are in fourth place with the rest of the field closely bunched. At the halfway stage, the two pros are 10 strokes behind Vijitha and the final two rounds promise a sensational challenge to peg back young amateur Vijitha who appears to be in the form of his life.

Former champion Nandasena Perera and RCGC pro Jehan de Saram made the cut, though far behind the leaders. 40 players made the cut at 161, 33 strokes behind the leader! The final two rounds will determine the experience of the pros versus the tenacity of the amateurs in the battle to be the champion of 2012.

The UTE CAT Challenge Trophy for the best gross aggregate for amateur members was decisively won by Sheron Fernando, who shot a gross 2 under par 69 for a two round total of 146, 10 strokes clear of the runner-up Pan Sung Kim. Sheron was placed 18th overall in the UTE CAT Sri Lanka Open. Pan Sung Kim with a stunning round of gross 73 won the best net aggregate, playing off 12 handicap, beating Sheron by 2 strokes. 13-year-old Armand Flamer-Caldera returned 2 consistent rounds to win the best net aggregate in the handicap division 15 to 28.

The Pam Fernando Challenge Trophy for the ladies will get underway today and tomorrow.