Dylan Naidoo won the SA Open championship over the weekend at the Durban Country Club
Image: Investec
STANDING on the 1st tee box at the newly revamped Durban Country Club, the clouds seemingly low and dark, made the opening hole all that more gloomy.
Similar to the setting of Papwa teeing-off the final round of the 1963 Natal Open.
This time around, 62 years later, we have a new name to be engraved in history. Showing true grit, composure and character, Dylan Naidoo is the 2025 South African Champion.
Dylan took up golf at the age of 5, when his father, Neil Naidoo, who was an avid golfer, noticed his son’s love for the game. From a young age, he went on to win many junior tournaments.
He attended the College Golf in the USA, turned pro in 2019 and began playing in the local Sunshine Tour. Dylan achieved amazing accolades, including getting his pro-card for the Korn Ferry Tour, winning on the Sunshine Tour and being placed runner-up in Mauritius at the end of last year.
With all these golf benchmarks behind him, Sunday’s win was a life changing moment.
Dylan’s key move in the tournament came in Friday’s second round as he shot an amazing 61 to jump up the leader-board.
I caught up with Dylan shortly after his win and asked what this meant to him?
“It has been unreal. I have received many calls from abroad, ministers and the ANC. I have also been invited to all of the Rolex series events. There are exciting times ahead. I will be playing the British Open, which is a major. It’s a really special moment for me and I am proud to have done South Africa proud,” he said.
Commenting on the Papwa story, Dylan said: “It was quite symbolic that it rained when I won. Papwa has always been an inspiration to me and I felt his presence. His journey was a remarkable one. For me to be compared to someone so great is truly amazing. I had the home support and was embraced with love. To be in the same storyline as Papwa, I feel complete gratitude. Papwa and Tiger Woods have been my inspiration for golf.”
Dylan advised youngsters to be patient and work hard.
“The road is a long and windy one. It will take many hours and dedication to be a successful golfer. But if you believe it, it will happen. Focus on your goals and don’t divert from them.”
Papwa’s son, Rajen Sewgolum, said: “I never got the chance to see my dad win. But watching Dylan’s win gave me goosebumps and reduced me to tears. Dylan has made the Papwa family immensely proud. Thank you Dylan and we wish you well in the future tournaments.”
Dylan was the first player of colour to win the SA Open and in amazing fashion. His chip on that play-off against Laurie Canter ranked well above him in world rankings and will forever be etched in our memory. He pulled off one of the greatest stories in one of golf’s oldest tournaments.
Dylan serves as a life inspiration.
No matter your level of golf, a story line of this sort would make any golfer want to improve. Papwa shone that spirit across the 18th and Dylan grabbed it as the perfect champion.
Nisharlan Sewgolum
Image: Supplied
Nisharlan Sewgolum is PGA AA golf professional and a golf pro for Saudi Aramco. He was voted in the Top 5 of the International Golf PGA Pro 2022.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media
Related Topics: