Month: March 2025

When the rain finally stopped, they came. They came and they filled the grandstands and surrounded the 18^th green at Durban Country Club. They came because not a waterlogged golf course nor a championship decided over 54 holes could stop history. They came to see Dylan Naidoo become the first South African player of colour to win the Investec South African Open.

With South Africa’s Naidoo and England’s Laurie Canter tied for the lead on 14 under par after three rounds, a deluge of rain on Sunday forced the cancellation of the final round. It was then decided that the two of them would settle this year’s championship in a playoff on the par-four 18^th. And with the weight of history resting on his young shoulders, Naidoo stood tall as he made the birdie on the first playoff hole that shook South African golf history.

The fact that this former member of the GolfRSA National Squad did it at a Durban Country Club where in 1963 Sewsunker “Papwa” Sewgolum made history as the first player of colour to win a professional golf tournament in South Africa in the Natal Open added to the history of the day.

“For what this means in terms of Papwa Sewgolum and him having won the Natal Open here, it’s incredible. I feel like he was with me here today,” said Naidoo.

The victory secures Naidoo a DP World Tour card and he also claimed one of the three spots on offer for The Open at Royal Portrush this July on a magical Sunday. A Sunday when his father had flown in to watch a final round that didn’t happen, then left for the airport to fly back home for work on Monday, then raced back from the airport to watch the playoff and see his son step into golf history.

“Me and my dad have been through it all, and I couldn’t think of someone more special to share this with. It’s just been the best day ever. I mean, I’m on the DP World Tour. That’s outrageous. I’m going to be playing around the world against some of the best players in the world. And I’m playing in The Open. It’s a dream,” said Naidoo.

South Africa’s Darren Fichardt and England’s Marco Penge were the other two players to also secure a place in The Open through the Investec South African Open’s status as part of the Open Qualifying Series.

South Africa’s Christiaan Maas finished as the leading amateur and winner of the Freddie Tait Cup for the second time in his career, ending the tournament on 12 under par overall.

It was indeed a day for dreams, the biggest of which no doubt belonged to Naidoo.

“I felt like I had nothing to lose in the playoff. I just wanted to go out there and have fun and do it. To have my name on the Investec SA Open trophy is unbelievable. It’s like a fairytale,” he said. – Michael Vlismas

DURBAN (KwaZulu-Natal) –  Dylan Naidoo walked onto Durban Country Club’s 18^th green and threw his arms up as Durban’s golf fans stood on their feet cheering the young South African who shares the lead with England’s Laurie Canter in the Investec South African Open.

In near darkness and with the field having finally caught up the suspensions caused by the heavy rain earlier in the week, Naidoo parred the last for a 71 and a share of the lead with Canter on 14 under par. Canter signed for a solid 68 on a windy and tricky day at Durban Country Club.

“I felt like Tiger Woods out there. It was outrageous. I had crowds that were five deep following me. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. It was just like an overflow of emotion. I’m ready for everything the final round has in store,” said Naidoo, who is chasing a maiden DP World Tour victory after coming close with a runner-up finish in December’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.

Naidoo and Canter will go into Sunday’s final round one shot clear of England’s Marco Penge, while former Investec South African Open champion Branden Grace, Darren Fichardt and amateur Christiaan Maas are currently tied fourth on 12 under par.

But Saturday’s wind was a true showcase of the changes made to this venerable golf course and where its real strengths lie.

“It was a Test match out there. It was really difficult with the wind swirling, and it really was a case of patience and grinding,” said Naidoo.

Canter felt the same as he opened with a double bogey and then had to dig deep to get his challenge back on track.

“The golf course was a different animal in the wind. It was so much fun to play and such a great test. I like seeing the course with wind because I think that’s how it’s meant to play,” said Canter, who is looking for a double after winning the 2010 South African Amateur.

And just two shots back, Grace has a second Investec South African Open in his sights.

“It was just so amazing to see the crowds out there. I love this place and I’m looking forward to the final round,” he said.

Maas has easily wrapped up the Freddie Tait Cup for leading amateur as he also heads into the final round just two shots off the leaders. – Michael Vlismas