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Teen star now takes on Japan

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big shot 
 Dylan Naidoo wants to steer the SA team to winning the Junior Golf World Cup in Japan next month.
PHOTO: SAGA
big shot Dylan Naidoo wants to steer the SA team to winning the Junior Golf World Cup in Japan next month. PHOTO: SAGA

South African teenage golfing sensation Dylan Naidoo is determined to make a mark on the international stage at the junior golf World Cup in Japan from June 13-19.

The 23rd edition of this prestigious event features the best young players from 16 countries who will compete in a team format.

The championship will tee off at the Chukyo Golf Club in Toyota City, Japan.

The 17-year-old Naidoo, who is currently ranked number one by the SA Amateur Golf Association, is determined to impress at the global showpiece.

Earlier this year, Naidoo was invited to play in the Joburg Open co-sanctioned by the European and Sunshine tours at the Royal Johannesburg andamp; Kensington Golf Club.

The Fourways-based golfer, who plays for central Gauteng, fared well in the 210-strong field.

It is rare for amateur golfers to be afforded an opportunity to compete against accomplished professionals in such an event.

But Naidoo, who is a member of the Modderfontein Golf Club, was chosen because of his immense talent.

This came shining through as he carded successive rounds of 70 to miss the cut by just one stroke.

Naidoo is a student at the TuksSport Golf Academy at the University of Pretoria’s high-performance centre.

He is optimistic he will give a good account of himself in Japan and make his team-mates proud.

“I’m determined to give the World Cup my best shot. I am part of a four-member team in Japan. Obviously, the pressure will be more on me because of my form and profile,” he said.

Naidoo added that he was in great shape and would do his best to help the team win.

“The goal is to bring the trophy home. We’ve acclimatised well to the Japanese weather and everything is fine.”

Naidoo’s team-mates are Marco Steyn, Keegan de Lange and Herman Loubser.

Last month, the talented Naidoo claimed a seven-stroke victory in the 2015 Nomads SA Boys Under-19 Stroke Play Championship at the Polokwane Golf Club.

This accomplishment follows Naidoo’s victory at the SA Under-17 Stroke Play Championship at the same venue nine months previously.

He carded a final-round 69 to win with a 15-under-par 273.

Naidoo was a member of the four-man side that chased down South Africa’s 17th consecutive victory in the All-Africa Junior Golf Championship in Lusaka, Zambia, three weeks ago.

He achieved fourth-place finishes in two national junior events this season and tied for eighth in the Sanlam SA Amateur Stroke Play Championship.

Last year, Naidoo gained a lot of experience when representing the country in the Italian International Under-16 Championship.

He believes winning on the tricky par-71 mountainous course in Japan will do wonders for his golf profile.

“My dream is to play in Europe as a pro in two years’ time. So I have to definitely make a mark in the amateur ranks.”

Naidoo’s father, Neil, is confident his son will achieve his dream, as “he’s a dedicated golfer and we are going to hear a lot about him in future as a pro”.

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