In the ever-competitive field of golf, where the fairways are long and the greens are fast, Sri Lanka’s Chalitha Pushpika is beginning to carve out a name for him – one steady swing at a time.
At 29, Pushpika has reached a career-high World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) of 345. That’s not just a number; it’s a symbol of years of discipline, consistency and an undying hunger to succeed.
In a game where even a single bad stroke can spoil a round, Chalitha is proving he has the nerves – and the numbers – to stay on par with the best in the amateur world.
The year 2025 has already been a golden run for Pushpika. In what golfers call “catching fire,” he clinched three back-to-back Sri Lanka Golf (SLG) Ranking Tournament titles. These weren’t just any tournaments. They were three of the most competitive events on the national calendar – at the Royal Colombo Golf Club in January, Nuwara Eliya Golf Club in February and Victoria Golf Resort in Digana in April.
“Winning one ranking tournament is tough,” Pushpika said with a quiet smile. “Winning three in a row? That was beyond my dreams. I just stayed focussed on one shot at a time.”
And that’s exactly what he did – playing each hole like it was the only one that mattered. His hat-trick of wins not only cemented his place as Sri Lanka’s top-ranked amateur golfer but also gave his WAGR a serious boost, helping him break into the top 350.
In a sport where rankings move slower than a putt on uphill greens, this was a massive leap.
Journey to the top
Born and raised in Kotte, Pushpika’s journey to the top wasn’t always on a smooth fairway. His connection to golf began not with trophies, but with tradition. His grandparents and parents were longtime employees of the Royal Colombo Golf Club.
Young Chalitha would often accompany his father to the course, watching the older golfers and dreaming of holding a club himself.
“My father used to tell me, ‘Don’t worry about the big shots. Just focus on the basics.’ That’s how it all started,” he recalled.
By the time he was a teenager, Pushpika was already swinging like a natural. With support from his family and early lessons at the RCGC, he began competing in junior tournaments, where his clean ball striking and course management started turning heads.
Blessing in disguise
In 2018, Pushpika took a bold decision – he joined the Sri Lanka Navy. For many athletes, the military can be a distraction from their sport. But for Pushpika, it became a blessing in disguise.
The Navy not only gave him a job but also the discipline and structure that every top athlete needs. More importantly, they gave him time to train and compete. The Navy has a proud history of producing champions in many sports, and Pushpika added to that legacy.
“The Navy is my second home,” he says. “They’ve supported me from the very beginning. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
With the Navy behind him, he began swinging harder and dreaming bigger.
Domestic form
While his domestic form was outstanding, Pushpika also began making ripples abroad.
Earlier this year, he finished fourth at the 38th Bangladesh Amateur Golf Championship – a tournament that drew over 100 elite players from across Asia. It was a gutsy performance, with Pushpika staying cool under pressure on a windy course known to test even seasoned pros.
In 2025, he grabbed third place at the prestigious Pakistan Amateur Golf Championship and finished sixth in the 2024 edition of the Bangladesh event. These consistent top-10 finishes proved that he was not just a local hero but an international contender.
Zia-ul-Haq Trophy
Partnering with the experienced Chanaka Perera, Pushpika helped Sri Lanka stun hosts Pakistan in their own backyard to win the Zia-ul-Haq Trophy – ending a seven-year drought. He followed that with another solid display in the J. R. Jayewardene Trophy this year, adding another international feather to his growing cap.
“We went into those matches as underdogs,” he said. “But sometimes, golf is a mental game. We just believed we could do it.”
That belief carried them through tight matches, where one bad shot could have cost them the title.
Role model
With his name now climbing up the WAGR charts, Pushpika knows that golf is not just about trophies or rankings – it’s also about rhythm and relationships.
The 29-year-old has become a role model for many junior golfers in Sri Lanka.At a time when cricket and rugby dominate headlines, Pushpika is bringing golf back into conversation. He is often seen at local clubs, sharing advice with younger players. “Don’t rush the swing,” he tells them. “Golf is a long walk. Play smart. Play humble.” And he leads by example.
Despite his success, Pushpika remains soft-spoken and grounded. He still visits the RCGC, still trains with the same intensity, and still listens to his father’s advice.
Turning professional
Now, with his amateur record shining brighter than ever, Pushpika is ready for the next big step: turning professional.
His goal is to tee off on the Indian Professional Golf Tour next year – using it as a launch pad to bigger international tours.
“I want to start small, gain experience and then see how far I can go,” he said. “Turning pro is not just about playing better – it’s about playing smarter.”
He knows the road ahead is full of challenges – longer courses, tougher fields, higher pressure – but he believes his game is ready.
“It’s like playing the back nine on a Sunday afternoon,” he grins. “You know you’ve done the hard work. Now, it’s time to finish strong.”
Global name
Pushpika’s rise isn’t just a story of good swings and lucky breaks. From his first swing as a young boy at the RCGC to becoming the nation’s top amateur and a global name, he has come a long way.
Golf may still be a niche sport in Sri Lanka, but with Pushpika flying the flag high, the game may finally be getting the respect -and the attention – it deserves.
And as he gets ready to turn the next page in his career, one thing is clear: this Navy man isn’t done making an impact. He’s just getting started.
“I’ve played many rounds in my life,” he said, pausing as if visualising another green. “But my favourite hole is always the next one.”
In golf, they say every shot count – and for Pushpika, every swing is now part of a much bigger story.
