Taniya Minel Balasuriya clinched victory in a thrilling play-off to drive Sri Lanka to its second consecutive HSBC Junior International Golf Championship.
The HSBC International Junior Team Championship 2018 was played at the RCGC between India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; in the stroke-play format, with each international team comprising of 2 Boys and 2 Girls.
Photos: Sri Lanka International Junior Golf Championship Individual Open 2018 | Day 2
ThePapare.com | Waruna Lakmal| 02/08/2018 Editing and re-using…
The Sri Lankan Team comprising of Captain Vinod Weerasinghe (75), Armand Flamer Caldera (74), Kayla Perera (76) and Taniya Minel Balasuiriya (70) returned with Sri Lanka’s best score of a gross total of 295, 10 strokes clear of Pakistan on 305 who were also 10 strokes clear of the Indian Team. Pakistan qualified to meet Sri Lanka in the match-play Final for the 2nd year in succession.
As expected the Match-play format, created much interest with Taniya Minel & Kayla Perera winning the two singles matches beating Parkha Ijaz & Rimsha Ijaz the two Pakistani sisters, respectively. However, the Pakistan Boys Junaid Irfan and Muhammed Saqib beat Armand Flamer Caldera and Vinod Weerasinghe respectively to ‘Tie’ the Final with 2 Wins each.
The rules provided for a sudden-death play-off between Sri Lanka & Pakistan. By the luck of the coin, former president of the Sri Lanka Golf Union Mr. Priyath Fernando chose the decider to be the Girls.
Taniya Minel Balasuriya was nominated for Sri Lanka, whilst Rimsha Ijaz represented Pakistan. The 1st Hole of the first sudden-death hole was played in fading light and watched by a capacity crowd of juniors, parents, golfers and lovers of the game, flanked by the keen sponsors, was well played with both players three on the green and putting for Birdie.
Sri Lanka – Pakistan brawl ends with…
HSBC International Junior Golf Championship started on…
Advantage Taniya Minel Balasuriya, showing great character and golf maturity, pitched to under 5 feet, recording a significant consecutive victory for Team Sri Lanka becoming the HSBC International Junior Golf Champions 2018. Rimsha Ijaz, sportingly Congratulated Taniya Minel on a fantastic victory.
The participation of 110 juniors receiving Certificates of participation and the Winners & Runners-up receiving Trophies was undoubtedly a memorable occasion in the lives of these young aspirants.
Final Results
Overall Winner of the HSBC Junior International Golf Championship 2018
Open Category Winner – Taniya Minel Balasuriya / Muhammed Saqib (Pak)
Premier Category Winner – Nirekh Tejwani / Armand Flamer Caldera
*All winners received an Entry Pass to “The Open 2019” at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland
INTERNATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 –SLGU TEAM EVENT
WINNER: SRI LANKA 295 (Vinod 75, Armand 74, Taniya 70, Kayla 76)
RUNNER UP: PAKISTAN 305 (Junaid Irfan 77, Md Saqib 74, Parkha Ijaz 80, Rimsha Ijaz 74)
3RD PLACE: INDIA 315 (Aryaman Mahant 82, Dhariya Jain 79, Arshia Mahant 78, K. Hooda 76)HSBC INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 2018
Winners – Sri Lanka
Runners-up – Pakistan
Sudden Death Play -off Taniya Minel (SL) Beat Rimsha Ijaz (PAK) 2nd sudden-death hole
Match-play Results: 2 Wins Each -TIE
Taniya Minel Balsuriya (SL) beat Parkha Ijaz 5 & 4
Kayla Perera (SL) beat Rimsha Ijaz (PAK) 2 & 1
Junaid Irfan (PAK) beat Armand Flamer Caldera (SL) 3 & 1
Muhammed Saqib (PAK) beat Vinod Weerasinghe (SL) 1 up
