Young golf whiz kid Jevahn Sathasivam of Asian International School and Kaya Daluwatte made a resounding impact at the 133rd CEAT Sri Lanka Amateur Golf Championship and Sri Lanka Stroke Play Championship for women at the historic Royal Colombo Golf Club.
Competing for the first time in this renowned championship, the 16-year-olds not only clinched titles but also stamped their names in history as the second youngest champions of this honoured event—the world’s longest-running amateur golf tournament outside the United Kingdom.
Sathasivam’s journey to the top was a symbol of endurance and excellence. His championship run began humbly, finishing Day One of the Stroke Play in a modest 31st place on the 100-player leaderboard.
Undeterred, he climbed to 19th on Day Two, securing a spot in the Match Play. What followed was a series of electrifying rounds where Sathasivam showcased his competitive spirit, first by defeating Sri Lanka’s top-ranked golfer, Chalitha Pushpika and then overcoming Kumara Dhanushan. In a nail-biting semi-final, he faced India’s formidable Varun Muthappa, triumphing with a display of strategic play.
In the final round, Sathasivam took on India’s Shamit Dhakane, displaying remarkable composure under pressure. His powerful drives, sharp accuracy and adept short game turned the tide in his favour, with critical birdies pushing him past his opponent to clinch the title.
This win catapulted him up an impressive 1,257 spots in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), positioning him as the 756th-ranked amateur golfer internationally and among Sri Lanka’s top four amateurs.
In the women’s division, Kaya Daluwatte delivered a sensational performance, setting a new benchmark as the second youngest golfer to claim the Sri Lanka Ladies Amateur Golf Championship title in the event’s 133-year history.
Her dominance was evident as she swept through the competition, ultimately winning the title by a significant margin. Daluwatte’s victory celebration was enhanced by a collection of trophies, including the Sri Lanka Ladies’ Stroke Play Championship, the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club Challenge Trophy, the Pin Fernando Trophy, the Leonard Peiris Cup and the Likamini Weeraratne Trophy. By night’s end, her trophy cabinet overflowed with six championships, a true showcase of her incredible potential.
Adding to Sri Lanka’s achievements, Chalitha Pushpika and Chanaka Perera won the Team Championship, securing the Zia-ul-Haq Trophy after a hard-fought battle against Pakistan’s top duo. This triumph strengthened the friendly rivalry between the two nations, marking a fitting conclusion to a historic championship.
In a field where age often brings experience, Jevahn Sathasivam and Kaya Daluwatte broke norms, proving that skill, dedication and grit can defy all expectations.
