News
Li and Sujeewa lead in spite of rain
Amidst bad weather the 15th SriLankan Airlines Golf Classic Championship continued on its third round at the Victoria Golf and Country Resort in Digana, Kandy yesterday. The proceedings of the third day was severely hampered by heavy downpours which occurred soon after lunch but 
the weather conditions had already affected the championship’s smooth run, forcing some of the tee offs from the second round to yesterday.
Despite the postponement of play from the second day to the third, the organisers still found it difficult to cope up with the remaining tee offs with the weather gods not responding in favour of the competition. After hours of delay play resumed and continued till late allowing the officials to release the lineup for the final round which will be held today.
The weather is expected play a big part in today’s proceedings according to competition officials who stated that if rain continues on the final day, the number of rounds may have to be cut down to one from two. The first tee off is scheduled to be held at 6.30am and will 
continue after each ten minutes under three categories. Friday’s and yesterday’s outcomes affected by the weather failed to provide a clear favourite but after the first round golfers from China and Sri Lanka made their presence felt.
The competition has drawn in more than 200 amateur golfers from 18 different countries in a four-day event which culminates today with a grand awards night. Over half of the lot represents the hosting nation Sri Lanka. Other competitors are from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, India, Malaysia, Kuwait, Canada, USA, Singapore, Thailand, China, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Italy, England, Spain, Australia, Japan and Saudi Arabia.
On the final two rounds a total of 127 golfers competed. Events are held under Men’s Division I, Women’s Division I and the Open. On Thursday, the first day of the competition Li Shishuang of China and Sujeewa Lankathilake were leading the Men’s Division I category while Shamara Wettimuny and Ahalya Rajan, with equal points were dominating the Women’s Division I category. The competition is played for points which will be allocated for a player’s Gross and Nett Stableford scores over their two rounds.