INVESTEC SA OPEN
Two years earlier, in October 2022, Naidoo had won his first Sunshine Tour title, at Umhlali Country Club, not far up the North Coast from Durban CC. But he was still out of his depth in the stronger co-sanctioned tournaments, missing the cut immediately afterwards in each of the Joburg Open, SA Open and Alfred Dunhill Championship. But he is clearly a resilient competitor with plenty of self-belief. Having shot 76-74 at Leopard Creek last December he im- mediately rebounded with a T-2 finish on 12-under in the AfrAsia Mauritius Open when his World Ranking was 675. Naidoo now has attained a playing card on the DP World Tour, and a place in the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in July. He might not know that when Papwa finished second in the 1963 Open, he went on to play that year in the Open Championship at Royal Lytham and finished a creditable 13th.
DCC shows it still has teeth The big question before the Investec Open was whether the "new" renovated DCC layout would be a stronger test than the old Country Club. The quality of the field was not as strong as it was at DCC’s 2010 Open, so it was hard to judge. Average score for 54 holes was 71.47, compared to 71.29 at the 2010 Open. DCC did concede its first 61, by new champion Dylan Naidoo in the second round, yet on Saturday when there was wind, we saw numerous over-par scores, including front runners Shaun Norris (76) and Dean Burmester (75). The average Saturday score was 73.14 which must have pleased the members. DCC still has teeth when wind enters the equation. The opening 4 that day was the hardest (4.55 with just two birdies) which will have delighted old-timers who remember what a fierce starting hole it was in bygone years. No 5 was right behind at 4.54, so the vaunted opening five holes were a supreme test of golf in a breeze. No 10 with its burn guarding the green was the toughest 5 (5.12), half a shot more difficult than in 2010. No 18 is usually the easiest hole in a SA Open, but this year it was No 8, which at 463m could have been played as a par 4. It yielded 17 eagles and 178 birdies. One hole which has become easier for the pros is No 6 (291), which averaged 3.72 as many were able to hit their tee shots pin high.
Stellenbosch Golf Club will host the 2026 SA Open, signalling a return of the championship to the Western Cape for the first time since 2009. The Cape Winelands club proved an extremely tough venue when it hosted its only previous Open in January 1999. David Frost won at his home club on a total of 5-under 279. Only eight players finished under par for the week and defending champion Ernie Els, who was T-6, failed to break 70 in any round. Three luminaries in the field were Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Ian Woosnam. One thing is certain: it will not be disrupted by rain.
90 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
MARCH/APRIL 2025
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