Vijitha retains lead over professionals

UTE-CAT Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship 2012:

Vijitha Bandara maintained his big lead, 7 strokes away from bunch of professional golfers to pounce on top after the second round of the UTE-CAT Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship continued at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) yesterday.

The championship is conducted by the Sri Lanka Golf Union (SLGU) with the Principal sponsorship of UTE-CAT along with co-sponsorships of CML MTD Construction and Halediv (HVA Foods).

Vijitha could not extend his lead of seven shots after round two, though he maintained the gap from Prabagaran, defending Champion Anura Rohana, Lalith Kumara and Tissa Chandaradasa. Mithun Perera lies in 6th place one shot behind the bunch, who in turn is one shot ahead of leading Sri Lankan Amateur N. Thangaraja.

The third day appeared to be more difficult to score below par as only K. Prabagaran shot a two under par to return the best card for the day - 69. The leader dropped 3 shots along with Tissa Chandaradasa whilst Prabagaran, Anura Rohana, Lalith Kumara, Mithun Perera and N. Thangaraja got closer to the overall leader Vijitha Bandara.

Multiple past Champion Nandasena Perera had a 85 to slide down a few places along with RCGC pro Jehan De Saram who returned a 82.

The Pam fernando Challenge Trophy for the Ladies Championship got underway and seasoned lady Golfers Niloo Jayatilake and Neesha Nirmalalingam shared the lead with gross 84, three strokes ahead of veteran Swan Selvaratnam.

The final round commence at 6.30 am with the ladies tee-off, followed by the Sri Lanka Open Championship at 7.00 am.