Investec SA Open Championship
Dylan Naidoo triumphs in dramatic play-off to win the Investec SA Open, securing his first European title.
Naidoo becomes first South African of colour to win the Open
Not a water-logged golf course or a championship decided over 54 holes could stop history from being made on 2nd March 2025.
When Johannesburg-born, local favourite Dylan Naidoo won the Investec SA Open Championship he became the first South African player of colour to do so.
The fact that Naidoo did it at the Durban Country Club, where Sewsunker "Papwa" Sewgolum made history as the first player of colour to win a professional golf tournament in South Africa, made the feat even more significant.
In 1963, during Apartheid, Sewgolum had to receive his prize for winning the Natal Open outside in the rain after he wasn’t allowed in the then “whites-only” Durban County Club clubhouse.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PAPWA SEWGOLUM CLASS SUPPORTING EMERGING TALENT
Naidoo appreciated the significance of this historic win. “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.
Another significant man, with the champion, was his father.
His father had flown in to watch a final round that didn’t happen, then left for the airport to fly back home for work on Monday, then raced back from the airport to watch the playoff and see his son step into golf history.
“Me and my dad have been through it all, and I couldn’t think of someone more special to share this with. It’s just been the best day ever. I mean, I’m on the DP World Tour. That’s outrageous. I’m going to be playing around the world against some of the best players in the world. And I’m playing in The Open. It’s a dream,” said Naidoo..
An ending that could have been scripted! Watch the highlights
Birdie putt to seal the deal
Naidoo claimed victory in a play-off with England's Laurie Canter after the final round was washed out because of rain.
The pair shared the lead on 14 under after both round two and three needed to be completed on Saturday, but the continuing inclement weather in Durban meant the fourth round was abandoned and the tournament went straight to a hole-by-hole play-off between them at the 18th.
Naidoo sunk a four-foot birdie putt to win.
The victory secures Naidoo a DP World Tour card and he also claimed one of the three spots on offer for The Open at Royal Portrush this July.
South Africa’s Darren Fichardt and England’s Marco Penge were the other two players to secure a place in The Open through the Investec South African Open’s status as part of the Open Qualifying Series.
South Africa’s Christiaan Maas finished as the leading amateur and winner of the Freddie Tait Cup for the second time in his career, ending the tournament on 12 under par overall.
“I felt like I had nothing to lose in the playoff. I just wanted to go out there and have fun and do it. To have my name on the SA Open trophy is unbelievable. It’s like a fairytale."
Dylan Naidoo, Investec SA Open champion
Stellenbosch GC | Host of 2026 Investec SA Open
115th championship will be held in early February
Tournament photo selects
DP World Tour tournament
The SA Open Championship is one of only five DP World Tour-sanctioned tournaments and the second oldest National Open in the world after The Open Championship.
"Investec is an organisation firmly rooted in South Africa and, as title sponsor of both South African Opens, we believe we can continue to contribute to a game so many are passionate about."
Peta Dixon - Investec head of sponsorships.
Now in its 114th year, the 4-day tournament is played over 72 holes, showcasing 156 pro golfers.
The Investec SA Open Championship offers a significant minimum prize purse of $1.5 million.
Add to that the $100,000 Order of Merit prize that runs throughout the first season of the DP World Tour, and the stars have a lot to play for. The leaders of this Order of Merit will also receive an invite to the first Rolex event of the following season.
Durban Country Club undergoes revamp
Durban Country Club underwent a significant renovation and the redesign of several holes to present a golf course that's fit for a National Open.
“It was incredibly exciting to see the second oldest Open in the world, return to the equally iconic Durban Country Club. The rain tested our resolve and the players' patience, but it was amazing to see how the Durbanites rallied to ensure the course was dry enough for the 114th edition to go ahead, albeit in a shortened format,” said Dixon.
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Investec's longstanding history in golf
Investec’s involvement with golf began in 2008, with a 12-year title sponsorship of the Investec Royal Swazi Open.
Expansion into the 'Chase to the Investec Cup' followed and the current prized 8-year partnership and title sponsorship of the Investec South African Women’s Open, until 2025. Investec also sponsors the Investec Order of Merit and the Investec Homegrown Award.
For many years Investec has also backed multiple golf professionals. Investec currently sponsors Nicole Garcia, Zethu Myeki, Danielle du Toit and the latest pro to join the stable- Ivanna Samu.
Find out more about these women pros