Naidoo edges out Canter in play-off to win South African Open
Dylan Naidoo celebrates victory with the trophy following a play off against Laurie Canter on the 18th hole at the Investec South African Open at Durban Country Club. Picture: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Home favourite Dylan Naidoo beat Englishman Laurie Canter in a play-off to win his first DP World Tour title after the weather-affected South African Open was reduced to 54 holes.
Sunday's fourth round was first suspended and then cancelled due to a flooded course at Durban Country Club, and with nothing to separate the co-leaders on 14 under par after three rounds, a play-off was required to decide the winner.
When the duo made their way to the 18th for the sudden-death play-off at 3pm local time, Naidoo chipped to four feet to set up a good birdie chance — and after Canter could not get up and down for a birdie, the South African nervelessly slotted in his putt to earn a memorable win.
Naidoo's victory also earns him a spot at the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, with Marco Penge and Darren Fichardt also qualifying as Canter had already booked his place.
Canter, who finished alone in second, has the consolation prize of going top of the Race to Dubai rankings following a fine start to the season.
Naidoo told the DP World Tour website: "This is a special moment for me, it's a special moment for everybody here in Durban - it's overwhelming.
"I said yesterday it felt like I was Tiger Woods (due to the bumper crowds following him). There were so many people.
"All the energy that I had, I can't thank everyone enough for coming out yesterday and today. I'm speechless."
Meanwhile, Lydia Ko finally conquered the LPGA's HSBC Women's World Championship, clinching her first title at her 11th attempt with a dominant four-stroke win over Ayaka Furue and Jeeno Thitikul in Sunday's final round.
The 2024 Olympic gold medalist and Women's British Open champion overcame a middling start before finding her rhythm with a birdie on the par-5 sixth.
Ko added back-to-back birdies on Nos. 7 and 8, seizing control of the leaderboard from then on.
Despite dropping two bogeys after the turn, the world No. 3 closed with a solid 69, sealing a 13-under-par 275 total at Sentosa Golf Club.
"I dreamt last night that I won but then I woke up, and I was like, dang, it's not real yet," said Ko, who secured her 23rd LPGA title and her first victory since the Kroger Queen City Championship last September. "But I just wanted to focus on my game."
Leona Maguire finished in a tie for 21st on two-under overall after a three-under 69.
