South African golfer Wilco Nienaber is making all the headlines at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club during the Abu Dhabi Challenge today by delivering a remarkable second-round performance.
Nienaber’s exceptional play saw him shoot a course-record-setting ten under par, igniting excitement among golf enthusiasts and propelling him into a shared lead with Dane Nicolai Kristensen.
Starting with a birdie on the second hole, Nienaber maintained his momentum, securing four additional birdies between holes four and seven to conclude the front nine with an impressive 30 strokes.
He continued his stellar performance on the back nine, replicating his earlier success with birdies on the 11th, 13th, and each of his final three holes, ultimately finishing at 13 under par alongside Kristensen.
Reflecting on his outstanding round, Nienaber expressed satisfaction with his performance, emphasizing his solid play and successful putting.
Despite narrowly missing a long eagle putt on the 18th, he was delighted to set a new course record and briefly entertained thoughts of achieving a historic round of 59.
Nienaber’s co-leader, Nicolai Kristensen, showcased his own prowess by birdieing four of his last five holes, maintaining his position atop the leaderboard for the second consecutive day.
With confidence in his game and a favourable opinion of the course, Kristensen eagerly anticipated the weekend rounds.
The leaderboard remained tightly contested, with Englishman John Parry, Scot Euan Walker, and South African Oliver Bekker sharing third place at 12 under par.
Meanwhile, Garrick Porteous of England showcased impressive form with a flurry of birdies and eagles, positioning himself within striking distance of the leaders.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Nienaber, Kristensen, and the chasing pack as they vie for supremacy in the Abu Dhabi Challenge.
The third round promises more exhilarating golf action, with Nienaber and Kristensen scheduled to tee off alongside Bekker at 9:30 am local time, following an exciting start to the day at 7:30 am.
