England’s Laurie Canter misplaced in a play-off in opposition to dwelling favorite Dylan Naidoo on the Investec South African Open Championship after flooding at Durban Nation Membership.
Officers determined to desert the fourth spherical as a consequence of torrential rain which left elements of the course underneath water.
With each gamers topping the leaderboard on 14-under 202 after three rounds, the pair contested a play-off for the title as soon as the rain cleared on Sunday afternoon and 27-year-old Naidoo, ranked 466th on this planet, took a maiden DP World Tour victory in his dwelling nation.
“It seems like a dream, its overwhelming,” stated Naidoo, who was common with the group in Durban. “I felt like I used to be Tiger Woods taking part in on the market yesterday with so many individuals supporting me.”
Canter missed out to Naidoo in a play-off on the South African Open
Each gamers got here up in need of the inexperienced with their tee photographs on the par-four 18th, however Naidoo’s second was higher than Canter’s, with the Englishman touchdown 15 toes from the opening.
He missed his birdie probability, whereas Naidoo, placing from round 4 toes, held his nerve to safe victory on the waterlogged course.
“That sort of shot is my bread and butter, a bit low skipper,” he stated. “The boys who play follow rounds with me know that I try this on a regular basis.
“I did not have quite a lot of worry on the shot, it was really a very nice shot for me to have within the second. I used to be extra apprehensive concerning the putt. That putter went again a bit squiggly!”
Naidoo proudly shows the Investec South African Open Championship trophy
Naidoo’s victory secures him a spot at The Open at Royal Portrush later this yr, whereas Canter – who completed alone in second – now leads the Race to Dubai Rankings and nonetheless tops the Worldwide Swing standings with one occasion remaining.
One other Englishman, Marco Penge, was one shot additional again in third, whereas South Africans Darren Fichardt, Branden Grace and beginner Christiaan Maas shared fourth place, ending 12 underneath par for the event.
Penge and Fichardt additionally earned spots at The 153rd Open as Canter had already booked his place.
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