The Debrief: 2020 Joburg Open

Everything you need to know from the opening event of the South African Swing at Randpark Golf Club.

Joachim B. Hansen entered the winner's circle on the European Tour for the first time, while Wilco Nienaber impressed on home soil at the 2020 Joburg Open.

Here is everything you need to know from the opening event of the South African Swing at Randpark Golf Club.

Hansen becomes a European Tour champion

A flawless final round of 67 was enough to earn Denmark's Hansen a maiden European Tour title in his 146th appearance. The two time European Challenge Tour winner went into day four a shot behind third round leader Nienaber and then found himself even further adrift in the afternoon as the talented South African youngster took a three shot lead into the turn. But Hansen displayed nerves of steel as he birdied the tenth, 12th and 14th to fight his way back to the top of the leaderboard at 19 under par. And with home favourite Nienaber making two late bogeys, Hansen was crowned champion.

The rise of Nienaber

Many will be familiar with Nienaber because of his distance off the tee but the 20-year-old proved he is much more than just a big hitter as he came close to making his European Tour breakthrough on Sunday. The home hope was in contention all week in Johannesburg and entered the final round with a one shot lead. He had increased that advantage to three strokes after firing a hat-trick of birdies from the fourth to get to 19 under, but he finished the tournament with back to back bogeys to fall just short. Nienaber may not have that trophy in the cabinet just yet but, after just 23 European Tour appearances, he has shown he is a force to be reckoned with.

Team Cockerill making an impression

We have seen a few wins in recent years where players have had their partners on the bag and Aaron Cockerill could well be the next after showing what he's capable of at Randpark Golf Club. He was due to marry fiancée Chelsea in August but with the coronavirus pandemic seeing that delayed, the Canadian pair are having an adventure in Europe, as Cockerill told the Player Blog presented by Enterprise-Rent-A-Car last month. Cockerill finished in a tie for fourth on 13 under par after signing for a closing 68. Dutchman Lars van Meijel, who ended the week another shot back on 12 under, also had his partner on the bag.

South Africans play starring role

The three-week South African Swing got off to a brilliant start from a home perspective, as five South Africans finished in the top ten. Just behind Nienaber in second place was Shaun Norris in solo third on 16 under, while three time European Tour champion Brandon Stone finished in a tie for fourth. Bryce Easton and halfway leader Jacques Blaauw were the other home players in the top ten.

Nienaber's massive drive

Remember when I said Nienaber hits it a long way? Well he proved it on Thursday, driving the ball an astonishing 439 yards at the par five fourth - that's about a quarter of a mile...