Wilco Nienaber will take a three-shot lead into the weekend of the NTT DATA Pro Am after posting a bogey-free seven under par second round of 66 on The Links at Fancourt Golf Estate.
The South African returned to the Outeniqua course this morning to complete round one after a near five-hour delay due to a flooded course on Thursday, and he took full advantage of the calm early conditions to post a 12 under par opening round of 60.
The 24-year-old took that momentum into his second round on The Links, carding seven birdies to remain at the top of the leaderboard on 19 under, three ahead of countryman Jacques Blaauw.
“I’m very happy with my first two rounds,” said Nienaber. “There was a long delay yesterday morning, but I managed to go out and play very well and finish it off this morning.
“The Links today was very enjoyable. I love this golf course because it’s so unique and I don’t get to play it a lot. It always feels like a privilege whenever I play it and I’m just happy I managed to put in another good score.
“I’m feeling confident in my game. I’m hitting it very well and rolling in some nice putts. When I miss the green, I’m able to get up and down nicely too, so it’s a strong combination at the minute.”
Nienaber secured his maiden HotelPlanner Tour title at the NTT DATA Pro Am in 2021 and he is now hoping to become just the fourth player to win the event on two occasions following in the footsteps of Oliver Bekker, Darren Fichardt and Nick Price.
“I love playing in this tournament and I have some great memories here,” he said. “It’s a unique event and we don’t get to play this format too often, especially on the Sunshine Tour.
“The golf courses are fantastic and it’s such a nice area. I moved down here two years ago, and it really feels like home. I’m not going to change anything over the weekend and hopefully I can get my hands on the trophy again.”
South African Kyle Barker carded a six under par round of 67 to move into third place on 13 under par, while countryman Jovan Rebula, nephew of Ernie Els, is a shot further back in fourth.
Sam Jones from New Zealand posted a seven under par round of 65 on the Outeniqua to climb into fifth place on 11 under par.
Englishman Jamie Rutherford posted the lowest second round, a ten under 62 on the Outeniqua, to move alongside countryman Eddie Pepperell, South African Malcolm Mitchell, Frenchman Félix Mory, Swede Per Längfors and Denmark’s Christoffer Bring in sixth place on ten under.
