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Naidoo sinks birdie putt on 1st playoff hole to win rain-hit South African Open
Original Publication Date: March 2, 2025 1:04PM
Publication Updated: April 10, 2025 1:43PM
DURBAN, South Africa (AP) — Dylan Naidoo held his nerve on the first playoff hole against Laurie Canter with a birdie putt to win the rain-marred South African Open on Sunday for his first European tour win and a spot in the British Open.
The fourth round was first suspended and then canceled due to a flooded course at the Durban Country Club.
The consolation prize for Canter was a runner-up finish that moves the Englishman into the top 50 in the world ranking next week, making him eligible for The Players Championship and its $25 million prize fund.
Canter will be the first player from LIV Golf to compete in the PGA Tour’s flagship event at the TPC Sawgrass. He played in 2022 and 2023, and his final appearance as an alternate was in early February 2024. The tour policy is for LIV players to wait one year before playing on the PGA Tour.
Naidoo, a 27-year-old South African, and Canter each hit good tee shots in the playoff.
But Naidoo’s superb second shot saw his chip from the fairway land near the flag, while Canter went long toward the edge of the green. Canter missed his birdie putt, leaving Naidoo his short putt to win.
After the ball dropped in, Naidoo leaned back and his cap fell off as he put his head in his hands. He then hugged his caddie and let out a disbelieving laugh.
“I don’t know what to say, it just feels like a dream. Am I going to wake up at some point?” a jubilant Naidoo said moments later. ”I don’t know what to say. This is a special moment for me, for everybody here in Durban. Jeepers!”
Naidoo set a course record when he carded an 11-under 61 in the second round and felt the support of the home crowd.
“Yesterday, I felt like I was Tiger Woods, there were so many people, so much energy,” Naidoo said.
Three spots at Royal Portrush were available at the South African Open. Marco Penge and Darren Fichardt got the other two spots. Canter, meanwhile, went to the top of the Race to Dubai rankings, moving past Tyrrell Hatton.
Englishman Dale Whitnell, who made two holes-in-one in the same round on Friday, tied for seventh with Italian Andrea Pavan at 11 under overall.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
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