On a rain-soaked Sunday at Durban Country Club, Dylan Naidoo etched his name into South African golf history. The 27-year-old claimed a dramatic playoff victory over England’s Laurie Canter to win the 114th Investec South African Open, one of the oldest golf championships in the world. He became the first player of colour to lift the prestigious trophy.

After his pitch shot left him just four feet from the pin on the first playoff hole, he calmly rolled in the birdie putt to secure the biggest win of his career. For those of us who don’t get golf (because, let’s be honest, why are there so many clubs?), a birdie is when a player completes a hole in one stroke less than the expected number of strokes—aka “par.”

“It feels like a dream,” said Naidoo on Sunday, still trying to process the magnitude of his achievement. 

Making history on historic grounds

The symbolism of Naidoo’s win was not lost on anyone. He triumphed at Durban Country Club, the same course where, in 1963, Sewsunker “Papwa” Sewgolum became the first player of colour to win a professional golf tournament in South Africa. 

Sewgolum, of Indian heritage, famously received his 1963 Natal Open trophy outside the clubhouse in the rain because apartheid laws forbade him from entering. Within a year of that victory, he was banned from playing golf by the government. His career was stolen from him, but his legacy lived on.

“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.

For decades, golf in South Africa was a sport of exclusion. The South African golfing legend, Gary Player, acknowledged not only Sewgolum’s golfing ability, but also his resilience, saying “Papwa fought hatred with love”. But apartheid crushed Sewgolum’s career, banning him from playing and even from setting foot on a golf course. To crush any hopes of Sewgolum pursuing his passions abroad, the apartheid government even withdrew the golfer’s passport.

Now, decades later, Naidoo stood in the same place, holding a trophy. 

The Tiger Woods effect in Durban

Heavy rain wreaked havoc on the tournament, forcing officials to abandon the final round on Sunday morning. Only one player managed to complete his round before the course became unplayable. With Naidoo and Canter tied at 14 under par after three rounds, organisers decided to settle the title in a sudden-death playoff.

With Durban’s large Indian community, Naidoo was the crowd favourite all week. When the rain finally cleared, the crowds came. They filled the grandstands, they lined the fairways, and they roared as Naidoo stepped onto the 18th tee. “I said yesterday it felt like I was Tiger Woods,” said Naidoo. “There were so many people, so much energy.”

Naidoo’s victory wasn’t just a historic moment—it was a career-changing one. His win secured him a DP World Tour card and a place at the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush in July. Canter, already exempt for The Open, finished as runner-up, while South Africa’s Darren Fichardt and England’s Marco Penge also secured Open qualification spots.

For Naidoo, the journey is only beginning. Up next is the Joburg Open, another chance to build on this momentum. But no matter what comes, from Papwa to Naidoo, the story of South African golf has a new, inspiring chapter.

Emma Solomon
Emma@explain.co.za |  + posts

Emma is a freshly graduated Journalist from Stellenbosch University, who also holds an Honours in history. She joined the explain team, eager to provide thorough and truthful information and connect with her generation.