Pushpika shines at Malaysian Amateur Open

By Shamseer Jaleel   

Sri Lanka’s Chalitha Pushpika was in sensational form on the last day of the 119th Malaysian Amateur Open 2023 to end on number 11 out of the 41 golfers who teed off in the final two days after the cut-off at the Tiara Melaka Golf and Country Club in Kula Lumpur.   

Playing on an unfamiliar course, Pushpika faced a challenging competition against seasoned players in his bid for glory.   

However, his determination and unwavering focus helped him achieve a commendable result at this highly anticipated event.   

Hariz Hezri, playing in his home country, showcased his expertise and emerged victorious with a total score of 287. 

 
Trailing closely behind was Andrew Cheng (Malaysia), who finished with a total score of 288. Despite stiff competition from these formidable opponents, Pushpika secured 11th place with an overall score of 301.   

Pushpika’s outstanding performance can be largely attributed to his solid even par round on the third day of the tournament. This round, coupled with his consistent form, propelled him further up the leaderboard and showcased his capability to compete at an international level.   

On the fourth and final day of the tournament, Pushpika started the last day being placed 19th and improved in his rankings to 11th in the end.   

His performance not only brought pride to Sri Lanka but also served as an inspiration for young aspiring golfers in the country.