Dylan Naidoo reflected with pride on his place in the history of the Investec South African Open Championship as he prepared to make his first defence of a DP World Tour title.
The home favourite enjoyed a week dreams are made of when he won his national open at Durban Country Club last March, becoming the event’s seventh consecutive South African winner.
His win opened new doors far beyond his homeland, including a Major Championship debut at The Open along with opportunities on the Rolex Series for the first time through his winner’s category as he reached the penultimate event of the DP World Tour season in Abu Dhabi.
He now arrives at Stellenbosch Golf Club for one of the most significant weeks in South African golf, and while the host venue may have changed for the co-sanctioned DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour event, the feeling of honour is no less significant.
“This has always been the one tournament that means the most to us as South Africans,” he said.
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“There are a lot of events happening in the coming weeks in South Africa, but this is the one that has the weight, this one has the history, this one has the gravitas.
“It is a really, really exciting week. I am the defending champion, and I want to give it my absolute best.”
After heavy rain saw the fourth round cancelled last year, Naidoo and England’s Laurie Canter played a sudden death play-off to determine the winner with the pair locked at 14 under through 54 holes.
And it was Naidoo who prevailed as he made a birdie at the par four 18th to enter the DP World Tour winner's circle for the first time to go alongside a victory as a professional on the Sunshine Tour in 2022.
“It feels like yesterday, but it feels like a long time ago too,” he reflected.
“Just the play-off day, waiting around in the rain, not knowing what is going to happen and then having to really focus up and hit some good shots in the play-off. What a special day, what a special week.”
After 27 years away, the South African Open is making a long-awaited return to Stellenbosch as golf’s second oldest national open provides a direct pathway to both the Masters Tournament and The Open.
With the winner earning a coveted spot at Augusta National for the first time and the top three finishers securing an exemption for The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale, opportunity knocks for those in the 156-player field.
Bordered by vineyards synonymous with the Western Cape, the challenge may be different from Durban Country Club but it is one that Naidoo is relishing.
“It is a beautiful part of the country,” he said. “The scenery is unbelievable and the course is going to be a good test.
“The rough is up, very narrow, very tree-lined. It is not going to be easy. You just need a little bit of wind to make it really tricky, so I am looking forward to it.”
