SA double act top leaderboard
NIENABER, NORRIS RELISHING HOME FAIRWAYS
Wilco Nienaber silenced even the local peacocks with his booming drives as he joined Shaun Norris in a South African double act that topped the leaderboard after yesterday’s first round of the Joburg Open at Randpark Golf Club.
The local duo led the field with their rounds of eight-under-par 63, giving them a one-stroke lead over American Johannes Veerman and Canadian Aaron Cockerill. They are followed by a group of five players on six under.
Nienaber’s power game was in full flow yesterday as he hit a driver and then wedge into some of Randpark’s par fives.
On the par-five 12th hole he had a seven iron in which he hit to within six foot and holed the putt.
And on the par-five fourth hole he hit his drive 439 yards and then his second to five feet before missing the eagle putt.
“I just didn’t trust my fi rst instinct on my line so just missed that for eagle,” he said after his round of one eagle, nine birdies and three bogeys.
“Everything worked for me today. I’ve worked a lot on my putting. It’s not yet where I want it to be, but it’s getting there. Overall, my game was just solid. It’s also nice coming back to a course I know well, and also just to see some familiar faces who I played junior and amateur golf with.”
Nienaber also praised his new caddie, Jason Scheepers, who used to caddie for multiple European Tour winner Hennie Otto, whom he only met on Monday.
Both Nienaber and Norris were relishing playing on home fairways again after spending most of their years overseas.
Norris was just as delighted with his round, which included an eagle, six birdies and no bogeys.
“It’s been good to be home. I’ve been playing my home course quite a bit and putting in some low scores there, which has been building some confidence before this. I grew up playing on courses like Randpark. I can remember as a 16-year-old playing a South African Amateur here. But I’ve been hitting the ball nicely over the last few months. I’ve got a good strategy this week to take the course on and give myself some opportunities,” he said.