This actually pretty common in competitive scrabble, to get high level players that don’t speak the language in question and just memorize word lists. Typically what makes for high-scoring words in scrabble doesn’t align with the words we use on a regular basis so they can filter out the chaff.
The article massively understates how skilled Nigel is. He doesn't just know the words, he consistently plays the move that scores the highest-possible points while denying counterplay from his opponent. He's leagues better than any other Scrabble player and it isn't a contest... he's literally better at Scrabble than computers are.
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