439 Yards: It's The Agronomy And The Altitude!

The European Tour kicked off three weeks in South Africa with a bang that got plenty of attention on social media: Wilco Nienaber’s 439-yard drive during the Joburg Open’s first round.

The huge number took on added interest Sunday when Nienaber contended, ultimately finishing second to Joachim Hansen.

But the 20-year-old and his prodigious length—a 337-yard European Tour average in limited starts—has been mentioned by South Africans who witnessed his victory in the 2019 South African Amateur.

Like America’s Cameron Champ, it’s the effortlessness of his swing that might be more shocking (aided by those fairway heights, as a few remaining desperadoes like to claim.)

That’s Tony Johnstone and Alison Whitacker on the call from Randpark, elevation 5000 feet:

Wilco Nienaber's 439 yard drive 🚀#JoburgOpen pic.twitter.com/AY6NNgPVUM

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 19, 2020

Final round highlights: