SA Open champion Dylan Naidoo earns a spot in golf’s oldest tournament, The Open

Newly-crowned SA Open champion Dylan Naidoo has earned himself the esteemed privilege of playing in golf’s oldest tournament, The Open Championship, at Royal Portrush in Ireland later this year.

Naidoo received the invite as a result of winning a European Tour title at the SA Open in Durban last weekend.

It’s also the first time he will be playing on a European Tour event. 

Naidoo made his way through a waterlogged Durban Country Club last week and seized his spot in golf’s oldest tournament by beating Englishman Laurie Canter in a playoff. 

Naidoo plays on the DP World Tour (European Tour), which is how he was able to seize a spot at a major golf tournament. He secured one of three spots available at the tournament for The Open. 

Marco Penge and Darren Fichardt were the other players to qualify for the tournament from the SA Open. 

The 153rd Open is one of four major golf tournaments played throughout the year, and will give Naidoo a platform to rub shoulders with the best in the world right now, including the likes of Scottie Sheffler, Rory Mcllroy and Xander Schauffele. 

The Open week begins on July 13 and ends on July 20. 

Naidoo told The Post newspaper that winning the SA Open has opened a pathway for him.

“It has opened my pathway as I secured a place in the Open Championship, also known as the British Open, which is the oldest golf tournament in the world.

“I’m also a full DP World Tour member, so I get to participate in the European Tour. It is definitely going to be a whirlwind experience, which I am excited about.”

Before the 27-year-old Naidoo jets off to Northern Ireland, he will play a little more golf here in South Africa, which will serve as valuable practice for his first major. 

The Gauteng resident will go into this week’s Joburg Open, a tournament he’s played in since 16-years-old, on a wave of confidence and momentum. Naidoo will tee off on Thursday at the Houghton Country Club. 

“The Joburg Open has always been a special event for me. I’ve played this event since I was 16 years old, and it feels like it’s been a platform for me for my entire life. I’ve always wanted to play well here, and I haven’t managed to do so yet,” said Naidoo.

“But after last week’s win, it’s nice to come here with a bit of freedom and a different mindset. It’s going to be a very different week. It’s a really exciting time in my life.”