13 Things You Didn’t Know About Wilco Nienaber
Get to know young South African Wilco Nienaber a little better.


Get to know young South African Wilco Nienaber a little better.
13 Things You Didn’t Know About Wilco Nienaber
At only 20-years of age, Wilco Nienaber is a rising star on the European Tour and has already come close to winning on the Tour, finishing second at the Joburg Open. Here are 13 facts you may or may not already know about him.
13 Things You Didn’t Know About Wilco Nienaber
1. He was born on 7th April 2000, making him one of the few European Tour players to be born in the new millennium.
2. Nienaber is originally from Bloemfontein, South Africa.
3. Growing up, Nienaber played rugby, tennis and cricket at a high level.
4. The South African completed his education at Grey College in Bloemfontein.
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5. At age 17, he was ranked South Africa’s top amateur after winning 11 times, including three international events.
6. Nienaber has been dating his girlfriend, Nadine Kemp, since February 2016.
7. In 2018 Nienaber represented South Africa at the Eisenhower Trophy in Ireland.
8. That year, he finished as the leading qualifier in the stroke-play portion of the Amateur Championship and lost a playoff for the Brabazon Trophy.
9. Nienaber made his European Tour debut in December 2018 at the South African Open, he shot two rounds of 69 to make the cut.
10. In 2019 he turned professional, signing a multi-year deal with Ping.
11. Nienaber is a big rugby fan and has the years that South Africa won the Rugby World Cup engraved on his wedges.
12. At the Joburg Open Nienaber hit his drive 439 yards, a European Tour season record.
13. Standing at 6’ 2”, Nienaber was ranked first in 2020 for driving distance, averaging 340.47 yards.
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Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover news and social media.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. His favorite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: Ping G430 LST 15°, 19°
Irons: TaylorMade P.7CB
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
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