13 Things You Didn’t Know About Wilco Nienaber

Get to know young South African Wilco Nienaber a little better.

13 Things You Didn’t Know About Wilco Nienaber
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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.

Wilco Nienaber Joburg

Nienaber Led By One Shot Going Into The Final Round Of The Joburg Open(Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)

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.

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.

Nienaber Amateur Championship

Nienaber Was Defeated By Tom Slowman At The Amateur Championship In 2018. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

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.

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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 Cradock
Staff Writer

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 weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


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. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite 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: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x