South African golfer Wilco Nienaber showcased an impressive performance on Friday, achieving a six-under-par 65 in the second round of the DP World Tour’s Turkish Airlines Open held in Antalya, Türkiye. This remarkable round propelled him to second place at the tournament’s midpoint, with a total of nine-under-par.
Nienaber attributed his success to a new driver, which he adjusted with Ping earlier in the week. “I don’t think there’s a golf course where length doesn’t help, but it’s even more advantageous when it goes straight,” he noted. His solid outing included seven birdies and just one bogey after starting with an early setback.
Martin Couvra of France leads the tournament at eleven-under-par, followed closely by Nienaber, while China’s Haotong Li sits in third, having also shot a six-under 65.
Despite an initial bogey on the fourth hole, where Nienaber struggled with a three-putt, he rebounded strongly throughout the rest of his round. He expressed confidence in his putting, stating, “I guess every week if you putt well, you’ll be in the mix.” His recent mental adjustments, paired with a good performance, indicate a positive trajectory in his game.
The challenging conditions of the 10th hole didn’t deter Nienaber, who managed to birdie it—an achievement considering many competitors struggled there. The hole has seen numerous bogeys and challenging scores, making Nienaber’s birdie a notable highlight of his round.
Sharing insights about the course’s difficulty, Robin Williams described the 10th hole as particularly tricky, emphasizing how critical it is to score pars there, as most players face challenges with its length and water hazards.
Three other South African players made the cut, with reigning Investec South African Open champion Dylan Naidoo also expressing optimism about his chances moving forward in the tournament.
As the weekend approaches, the atmosphere remains competitive, and Nienaber and his fellow competitors are eager to capitalize on their opportunities to secure strong finishes. The positive outlook from these golfers suggests an exciting conclusion to the tournament ahead.