Promising youngster eyes US circuit
DYLAN Naidoo has long been touted as a future PGA professional.
At his first professional outing last weekend, at the Johannesburg Open, Naidoo showed why he was one of the top ranked junior players on the circuit.
The 17-year-old finished on a commendable three-under par at the challenging Royal Johannesburg and Kensington golf courses.
It was an encouraging start for the youngster, who at one stage found himself in 88th position in a field of 207 golfers. That group included European Tour winners Mikael Lundberg from Sweden, Portugal’s Ricardo Santos and reigning Investec Cup champion Trevor Fisher Jnr.
Naidoo was living his dream. “It was an awesome experience,” he says.
He concedes the occasion got the better of him, but he grew in confidence as the rounds progressed.
He says: “I was three over after the first three holes. I told myself that I needed to play my normal game.”
The reigning Nomads SA Boys Under-17 champion birdied the last three of four holes to finish the west course first round on a high.
“I felt that I bounced back nicely after being a bit overwhelmed.”
He carded a second round 70 on the more difficult east course.
“I guess I am doing the right things,” he says. “I have worked hard on my game. I feel like I will soon be able to compete with the best.”
The Tuks Sports High School pupil says part of his success came down to his mental strategy.
“I tried to stay as focused as possible. I stayed away from the players’ lounge and everything that was going on in the clubhouse. I was there to play the tournament more than anything.
“I worked with sports psychologist Theo Bezuidenhout and was happy with my mental approach to the tournament.”
“I have to catch up on school when I’m off the golf course,” he says.
Next year Naidoo plans to go to the US to play college golf.
“There have been a few offers on the table, for which I am very grateful. I am excited about playing in America and I believe I can mature as a player with the opportunities there,” he says.