Consecutive bogeys on the final two holes resulted in a disappointing finishing for Wilco Nienaber as Joachim B. Hansen won the Joburg Open for a first European Tour title.
Nienaber took a one-shot lead into the start of the final round at Randpark Golf Club with the Dane breathing down his neck in what was an exciting conclusion to the week.
And, the 20-year-old South African started in the best way possible with three successive birdies on the 4th, 5th and 6th holes, which saw him take a three-shot lead into the final nine holes.
READ: Nienaber hits front in Joburg
But, Hansen began to make up ground with a couple of birdies of his own after the group, which also included Compleat Golfer’s playing Brandon Stone, turned for the back nine.
Nienaber and Hansen were even on 19 under par as they headed into the tricky par-three, 17th hole with no player in a position to make any unnecessary errors.
The South African, though, struck his tee shot well over the pin – stopping inches from the water to the side of the green. A difficult chip shot for his second saw the ball roll way past the hole, eventually resulting in a two-put as Nienaber dropped a shot, while Hansen made par.
It meant Nienaber had to produce something special on the final hole as Hansen played it safe all the way through to avoid any mistakes, but again Nienaber found himself in trouble after opting against using his effective driver off the tee on the 18th.
In the end Nienaber settled for another bogey, while Hansen made par to seal a two-stroke victory in what was also Nienaber’s highest finish ever on the European Tour.
A final-round 66 by Shaun Norris saw him end the week a further stroke behind Nienaber on 16 under par, while Stone, Aaron Cockeril and Steve Surrey finished in T4 on 13 under.
