The 2012 Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship got off to a sensational start with Vijitha Bandara (Victoria Golf & Country Resort – VGCR) and Tissa Chandradasa (Royal Colombo Golf Club – RCGC) shooting 5 under par each (66) to share the lead overshadowing bigger names in the field of 60.
The UTE-CAT Open Championship promises a fascinating finish with TATA Open Champ Mithun Perera in joint 4th place with Amateur Champion N. Thangaraja (Ranked 4th best Amateur in Asia). Two strokes behind the joint leaders. B.G Lalith Kumara former Amateur Champ, the only Amateur to hold 4 National Titles simultaneously, now Teaching pro at the RCGC regained his former touch with a 4 under par, 67 to be in 3rd place one shot behind the leaders. Defending Champion Anura Rohana successful on the Asian Tour returned a modest 1 under par, 70 to share 9th place with K. Prabagaran another former winner, 4 strokes behind the joint leaders.
The UTE-CAT Challenge Trophy for amateur members best gross over two rounds saw Sheron Fernando lead the field of 21 players with a gross 77, two strokes clear of W.A.K Fernando.
UTE – CAT SRI LANKA GOLF OPEN STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 1
66 – Vijitha Bandara (VGCR), K.A Chandradasa
67 – B.G Lalith Kumara
68 – Mithun Perera, N. Thangaraja, M. Amarapadma, B.A Rohana
69 – G. Harrison
70 – K. Prabagaran, R.A Anura Rohana
71 – U.M.G Pradeep (VGCR), J. Sashi Kumar, B.A Sanjeewa, M. Arumugam
UTE-CAT CHALLENGE TROPHY (AMATEUR MEMBERS) AFTER ROUND 1
77 – Sheron Fernando
79 – W.A.K Fernando
80 – Kushal Johnillai
83 – Pan Sung Kim, Kris Krishnarajah
The Principle sponsor UTE-CAT, the Co-sponsors CML-MTD Construction Ltd and Heladiv (HVA Foods) are responsible in supporting the Sri Lanka Golf Union (SLGU) to conduct an Open Professional Golfing Championship in Sri Lanka producing Top quality Golf.
Day 2 continues at the RCGC course on Wednesday.
