EXCLUSIVE | I'm out here in Türkiye because of the SA Open win, says champion Dylan Naidoo

When you have shattered a glass ceiling that had been in place for 122 years, there could almost be a feeling that Everest had been scaled. Particularly in South Africa due to the historical and social significance of the achievement. 

But for 27-year-old SA Open champion Dylan Naidoo - the competition’s first black winner - it has been a truly life-changing moment. 

Especially since it elevated him into the elite winner’s category on the DP World Tour, thereby earning Naidoo qualification to the imperious Turkish Airlines Open, starting here at the Regnum Carya Spa and Golf Resort in Antalya on Thursday.

"My life has kind of switched on me, you know, done the 360! " Naidoo exclusively told Independent Media. "I've had so much support and so many people reached out, which has been cool.

"But at the same time, now I'm a DP World Tour winner. So, I'm out here on the DP World Tour playing in all these events.

"It's unbelievable. It's my first time in Türkiye. It's been phenomenal so far. I mean, the Hotel Regnum has just been so good. It's probably the best hotel I think I've ever stayed in. 

"The weather's great, the golf course is phenomenal and it's just such a nice event so far."

Antalya’s crystal blue sea water is undeniably intoxicating, especially for Naidoo who was born in Lenasia - south of Soweto on Johannesburg’s West Rand - but he is not just here to take in the idyllic surroundings. 

The Turkish Airlines is back on the DP World Tour for the first time since 2019 and its gathered an impressive field, including European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and vice-captain Edoardo Molinari, two-times DP World Tour winner Jordan Smith, Chinese star Haotong Li and fellow South African Jacques Kruyswijk.

Naidoo has therefore been preparing in his trademark meticulous fashion for the past two days to acclimatise himself with course’s pristine greens and fairways. He has been paired with England’s Smith and Scotland’s Calum Hill.

"Yeah, I think for me, it's about clarity (preparation)," he said. "I've always been someone who, if I can take all the information and distil it and filter it into something that's like a very meaningful gameplan, then that's when I play my best golf. 

"I think I've been doing that quite well the last couple of months and I think that's why it showed in my results.

"The course is great. It's in immaculate condition. It's actually very, kind of, you weave through the trees. There's a couple of water hazards here and there. It's not one of the wider courses, but it's lovely to play. The greens are so pure. And it's in, honestly, immaculate condition," he added. 

Naidoo’s childhood friend and fellow DP World Tour card-carrier Yurav Premlall is also part of the Turkish Airlines Open field, with the pair sharing some light-hearted banter during the Pro-Am on Wednesday. 

The duo certainly form part of a new generation making their mark on the South African golfing circuit.

"I've known Yurav since he was a kid," Naidoo said. "So it's quite special to have him at this event, you know. And he's got his card for next season on the DP World Tour. So it's gonna be nice to be able to travel with him.

"But yeah, you know, it's amazing to see that we have this massively talented, hard-working, great group of guys coming through. And I think we've all spurred each other on, which is what you want."

Full list of South Africans competing at the Turkish Airlines Open

Jacques Kruyswijk, Dylan Frittelli, Ockie Strydom, Dylan Naidoo, Yurav Premlall, Casey Jarvis, Jayden Schaper, Zander Lombard, Deon Germishuys, Ryan Van Velzen, Wilco Nienaber, Louis Albertse, Justin Walters, George Coetzee

* Zaahier Adams is attending the Turkish Airlines Open at the Regnum Carya Golf Club in Antalya, courtesy of Turkish Airlines