November 19-22
Randpark GC, Johannesburg, South Africa
ZAR 19,500,000
Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
Ties his career low round on Tour ✍️@Workday #JoburgOpen
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 19, 2020
Wilco Nienaber and Shaun Norris each fired opening 63s to grab a share of the first round lead at the top of the Joburg Open leaderboard.
Both South African players fired an eagle, Norris fired six birdies while Nienaber made nine birdies and three bogeys.
Wilco Nienaber averaged 416.5 yards off the tee in round 1.
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 20, 2020
85 yards longer than the field's average.#JoburgOpen https://t.co/bM111CJ3M4
"I've been hitting the ball nicely for a couple of months now, so it's been good," said Norris. I'm enjoying my couple of weeks back home, playing my home course, putting some low scores out there and just building some confidence before this.
"It's nice to put a low score out there. The course is looking good, so just take it on. You've got to give yourself opportunities and go for it. I had a sound game plan set to know when to attack and when to back off."
Nienaber turned professional last year after winning the 2019 South African Amateur Championship. He is playing in his eleventh European Tour event since the July restart following the pandemic hiatus and has recorded two top-10s since, including fourth pace at the English Championship in August.
"Eight under is nice around any golf course and to do it here in the first round of the Joburg Open, being back home again, is great," said Nienaber. "I haven't played much in South Africa since I turned pro but it's been great to be home. I'm just looking forward to the next three days and the next two weeks after."
