Tough start for Reshan and Chalitha in Japan

Chalitha Pushpika and Reshan Algama  

By Shamseer Jaleel

16-year-old Reshan Algama of Sri Lanka finished the day at five-over-par, placing him tied in 69th position with seven other players at the Asia Amateur Golf Championships in Gotemba, Japan yesterday.

Compatriot Chalitha Pushpika also had a tough opening round, carding a seven-over-par round to finish tied in 84th place. 

Indonesia’s Randy Bintang delivered a standout performance, carding an impressive five-under-par 65 to seize the lead from the top 120 amateurs representing 45 countries. 

Bintang’s superb round saw him finish the day with a comfortable cushion over the chasing pack. In second place, a duo of players - one from Hong Kong China and the other a joint effort from Japan’s T. Moto and R. Nakano - all posted scores of four-under-par.

Although this is Algama’s first major Asia Pacific Amateur Tournament, he and Pushpika will need to bounce back strongly in the next two days in order to secure a spot in the top 60 and qualify for the final two rounds.

With the cut line set at around seven over par, the Sri Lankans will have to dig deep to keep their championship hopes alive. Defending champion Jasper Stubbs from Australia played a two over round 72.