Dylan Naidoo clinched his maiden European Tour title on Sunday after edging out Englishman Laurie Canter in a dramatic play-off at the rain-hit South African Open.
With the final round at Durban Country Club abandoned due to heavy rain, tournament officials opted for a sudden-death play-off on the 18th hole between the joint overnight leaders.
Both players drove to the edge of the green on the short par-four, but it was the 27-year-old South African who held his nerve, executing a brilliant chip to set up a crucial birdie putt.
He calmly holed it to seal victory, while Canter’s birdie attempt drifted right of the hole.
Naidoo and Canter both finished at 14-under-par (202) after three rounds, with fellow Englishman Marco Penge finishing just one shot behind.
For Canter, it was a disappointing end to his bid for back-to-back victories, having won the Bahrain Championship last month, also via a play-off.
Naidoo’s triumph marks a significant milestone in his career, making him the latest South African to etch his name on the prestigious SA Open trophy.
