Dylan Naidoo created history by becoming the first South African player of colour to win the Investec South African Open at the Durban Country Club on Sunday, 2 nd March.
After 54 holes and a cancelled final round after heavy rains, South Africa’s Naidoo and England’s Laurie Canter, both tied for the lead on 14 under par after three rounds, went into a playoff on the par-four 18 th hole. With the weight of history resting on Naidoo’s shoulders, he made the birdie on the first play-off hole that created golfing history in South Africa.
The win was like a fairy-tale for the 27 year:
I felt like I had nothing to lose in the play-off. 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 fairy-tale.
The win secures Naidoo a DP World Tour card while he also claimed one of three spots on offer for the Open at Royal Portrush in July.
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.
His dad had flown in to watch the 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 play-off and see his son step into golf history.
The significance of the win Naidoo’s win at the Durban Country club, comes 62 years after the legendary Sewsunker “Papwa” Sewgolum made history by becoming the first player of colour to win a professional golf tournament in South Africa when he won the Natal Open at the same venue in 1963.
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.
The legend of Sewsunker “Papwa” Sewgolum
Speaking to Telecom Asia, Rajen Sewgolum, the son of the late “Papwa” said:
My dad won the Natal Open in 1963 at the same venue, the Durban Country Club . At that time the players of colour had to make use of a makeshift tent to change. That tent was where the putting green is today.
Sewgolum, famous for his back handed grip, had to receive his trophy in the rain in 1963 because of South Africa’s apartheid laws, and came 2 nd in the SA Open to Retief Waltman in the same year. He won the Natal Open again in 1965. Papwa was also famous for winning the Dutch Open three times, in 1959, 1960 and 1964.
Qualification for the Open
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.
