Nienaber is eyeing his first pro title
South African Wilco Nienaber opened up a one-shot lead heading into today’s final round as he looked to become the youngest-ever winner of the Joburg Open.
The 20-year-old entered day three a shot behind Jacques Blaauw but, as his countryman dropped back, Nienaber carded a 67 to get to 16-under-par, a shot clear of Dane Joachim B Hansen.
England’s Richard Bland carded a 68 to sit in a tie for third at 11-under, alongside Blaauw and two more South Africans in Shaun Norris and Brandon Stone.
Nienaber, who leads the European Tour in driving distance this season at an average of 337 yards, only turned professional last year and could claim a first win in just his 23rd appearance, while Hansen, 10 years his senior, has 145 appearances under his belt without a victory.
“It felt like a struggle to be honest,” Nienaber said. “But around the turn I holed a few crucial putts which really kept the momentum going and from there I just kept going.
“It’s going to be great. It’s going to be the first time that I’m in that situation and I’m just going to embrace it and enjoy the day.”
Top Scot is Scott Jamieson who is in a tie for 10th, eight shots behind the leader, on eight-under-par after a threeunder round of 68.
Alexander Knappe battled to a one-over-par round of 72 on day three of the Challenge Tour Grand Final and will take a one-stroke lead into the final round at T-golf & Country Club, Mallorca.
Blustery conditions meant scoring was higher than the first two days, but Germany’s Knappe stuck to his task and will go into today’s final round on 10-under, one stroke clear of Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard Møller, while Czech Republic’s Ondrej Lieser shares third place with Sweden’s Robin Petersson and Christofer Blomstrand on eight-under.
Scotland’s Craig Howie is sixshots behind the leader on fourunder in a tie for 15th.