Shooting a round of 59 in golf is relatively unheard of.
Only one player in the history of the DP World Tour has achieved the feat, while the Challenge Tour has seen four players sign for the magical number.
Four nearly became five today after Wilco Nienaber shot a spellbinding 10 under par 60 at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club to set a new course record during the second round of the Abu Dhabi Challenge.
The sublime round featured ten birdies and not a single dropped shot, as the 24-year-old surged to the top of the leaderboard on 13 under par following his first round 67.
“It was nice,” said Nienaber, who won the 2021 Dimension Data Pro-Am.
“I started well and hit it well, just like I did yesterday. I had a nice finish to the round yesterday and it feels like I just kept going.”
With this week’s set-up being a par-70 instead of a traditional par-72, Nienaber admitted he had no idea a 59 was on the cards until he made his ninth birdie of the day on the 16th.
“Unfortunately a little late,” Nienaber told Gulf News when asked if knew a 59 was in his sights.
“For some reason I just forgot it was a par 70. When I made the birdie at 16, I thought about my score and realised I needed a birdie-eagle finish to shoot a 59. I hoped I had clicked that earlier, but if I did I don’t know if it would have been any different, probably not.
“I probably wouldn’t have made 10 under, it probably would have been seven or eight under!
“I’m very happy.”
At the time of writing, Nienaber currently holds a one stroke lead over compatriot Oliver Bekker, with the afternoon wave yet to finish their rounds.
