Naidoo beats England's Canter in SA Open play-off
Dylan Naidoo finished second at the Mauritius Open in December
- Published
South Africa Open final standings
-14 D Naidoo (SA), L Canter (Eng) Naidoo wins after first play-off hole -13 M Penge (Eng); -12 D Fichardt (SA), B Grace (SA), C Maas (SA); -11 A Pavan (Ita), D Whitnell (Eng).
Selected others: -10 S Jamieson (Sco); -9 S Bairstow (Eng), R Mansell (Eng), -8 T Clements (Eng), N Kimsey (Eng); -7 R Ramsey (Sco), -6 J Donaldson (Wal)
Home favourite Dylan Naidoo claimed a dramatic play-off win over England's Laurie Canter after Sunday's final round at the South African Open 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, 27, played a delightful pitched second shot which left him with a four-foot birdie putt, while Canter chipped beyond the pin.
The Englishman, who won in Bahrain last month, then saw his birdie putt veer beyond the hole, but Naidoo held his nerve to claim a first DP Tour victory.
It also secured his place at July's Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
"I was relaxed before my chip to the green, but there were nerves ahead of the birdie putt," said Naidoo, the world number 466.
"Chipping is part of my DNA, I spend so many hours practising it
"This is a special moment in my career. I am overwhelmed by the victory. Winning the South African Open feels like a dream."