Dylan Naidoo heads into this week’s Joburg Open with a sense of “freedom” after becoming a DP World Tour champion, and with a strong desire to do well in a tournament that is close to his heart. MICHAEL VLISMAS reports.
Naidoo is still riding the momentum of his historic Investec South African Open triumph last week, and he’d love nothing more than to carry that form into another strong performance at Houghton Golf Club this week when the Joburg Open tees off on Thursday.
“The Joburg Open has always been a special event for me,” he said. “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.
“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.”
Similarly, his performance last week has inspired many of his close friends going into this week’s Joburg Open.
“With Dylan winning last week, it’s inspired me to do well,” said Nikhil Rama, who in 2023 challenged for the Joburg Open and was leading going into the weekend before finishing sixth overall.
“It’s a golf course I know well, and I’m playing well right now. I learned a lot being in the lead here last time, and I know how to calm myself a bit more in that situation.”
Veteran Darren Fichardt is also back for another shot at his own place in history as he seeks to become only the third player to win the Joburg Open more than once following his triumph in 2017. He finished second here in 2023.
“I’m playing with a lot of confidence at the moment,” he said. “I love this golf course. Distance doesn’t help you on this golf course. It’s more about positional play and leaving the ball in the right places on the green, so it brings all ages into the mix here. It’s a very fair course.”
Jacques Kruyswijk, who finished fourth here in 2023, is also back as a player in confident mood after winning his maiden DP World Tour title in the Kenya Open last month.
The Joburg Open is the final tournament on the DP World Tour’s International Swing, and also the final tournament before the Sunshine Tour’s new The Courier Guy Playoffs.
Photo: Troy Winfield/Sunshine Tour
