Shangri-La, HAMBANTOTA: (ePRESS) – Reshan Algama secured his second consecutive title, while Kaya Daluwatte dominated the Girls’ Gold Division with a remarkable 70-stroke lead in the PRIMA Sunrise Bread Hambantota Regional Junior Open Golf Championship, organized by Sri Lanka Golf, which concluded at the Shangri-La Hambantota Golf Resort.
In the Boys’ Gold Division, left-handed golfer Reshan Algama staged a stunning comeback after a tough first round. Starting five shots behind leaders Jevahn Sathasivam and Yannik Kumara, Algama made a brilliant recovery. On the second day, he carded an impressive 67, putting him five shots ahead of the competition. In the final round, Algama held his nerve, finishing with a solid 74 to claim victory by four strokes, with a total gross score of 221.
Algama’s strong performance on the second day made all the difference, as he moved from a challenging 80 in the opening round to finish ahead of the field. Yannik Kumara, who had led early in the tournament, finished as runner-up with a gross score of 225. Adithya Weerasinghe, representing Anuradhapura Golf Academy, took third place with a total of 231, edging out Sathasivam, who had been first after the opening day but finished fourth overall.
Meanwhile, Kaya Daluwatte, Sri Lanka’s top female golfer, made an impressive debut in the Girls Gold Division, winning the Girls’ Gold and Silver Championship. Daluwatte, currently studying and playing golf in India, put on an exceptional display across all three rounds. She carded a 69 in the first round, followed by another 69 on day two, and capped it off with a final round 73. Her total gross score of 211 saw her finish an astonishing 70 strokes ahead of the runner-up, Sithara Lorance, who posted a gross score of 281.
Daluwatte’s dominant victory established her position as one of Sri Lanka’s top golfers. The 70-stroke margin of victory was unprecedented in the history of the tournament, underlining Daluwatte’s skill and consistency throughout the competition. Kaitlyn Norton finished in third place with a total gross of 282.
In addition to the Gold Division triumphs, the tournament also saw strong performances across other divisions. In the Boys’ Silver Division (ages 13-14), Kaveesha Sadaruwan emerged victorious with a total gross score of 290. He was followed by Lithum Silva (317) and Aditha Mithsara (377), who claimed second and third place, respectively.
The Boys’ Bronze Division (ages 11-12) saw Lavidu Premarathna take first place with a total of 172, narrowly beating Revaan Amarasinghe, who finished with a score of 175. In the Copper Division (Boys 10 & Under), Abiman Abeywardhana triumphed with a gross score of 114, while Jaeden Sathasivam and Yuvan Rathis Kanth rounded out the top three.
Among the girls, Vihara Herath claimed victory in the Bronze Division with a total score of 193. Dulkini Kangara topped the Copper Division with a score of 140, further adding to the impressive performances by young Sri Lankan golfers in this year’s championship.
