Golf
Naidoo, Canter share the lead heading into final round─── MORGAN PIEK 09:08 Sun, 02 Mar 2025
Dylan Naidoo stepped onto the 18th green at Durban Country Club, arms raised in triumph, as the local crowd erupted in cheers.
The young South African secured a share of the lead alongside England’s Laurie Canter in the South African Open.
With daylight fading fast and the field finally catching up after rain delays earlier in the week, Naidoo calmly sank his par putt for a final-round 71, putting him level with Canter on 14 under par.
Canter had earlier carded a solid 68 in challenging, blustery conditions at Durban Country Club.
“I felt like Tiger Woods out there – it was unreal! The crowd was five deep following me, and I’ve never experienced anything like it. It was just an overwhelming rush of emotion,” said Naidoo, who is hunting his first DP World Tour victory after finishing runner-up at the Mauritius Open in December.
“I’m ready for whatever the final round throws at me.”
Naidoo and Canter go into Sunday’s final round with a one-shot lead over England’s Marco Penge. Meanwhile, former champion Branden Grace, veteran Darren Fichardt, and rising amateur Christiaan Maas are all tied in fourth on 12 under par.
Dylan Naidoo. Photo: Sunshine Tour
Saturday’s swirling wind gave a real sense of the true character of this historic course. “It felt like a Test match out there. The wind was unpredictable, and you really had to be patient and grind it out,” said Naidoo.
Canter echoed the sentiment, especially after a shaky start where he opened with a double bogey before battling his way back into contention.
“The course was a completely different beast in the wind. It was such a great test, and I really enjoyed it. This is how it’s meant to play,” said Canter, who is looking to add another South African title to his name after winning the 2010 South African Amateur.
Laurie Canter. Photo: Sunshine Tour
And just two shots back, Grace has his eyes on a second South African Open trophy.
“It was incredible to see the crowds out there. I love playing here, and I can’t wait for the final round,” said Grace.
Meanwhile, Maas has comfortably secured the Freddie Tait Cup as the leading amateur, but he’s still in the hunt for much more – just two shots behind the leaders heading into Sunday.
