Bluffton’s Bryson Nimmer comes up just short in U.S. Open bid

Bluffton’s Bryson Nimmer came up one stroke shy of a possible U.S. Open berth Tuesday, falling short of a playoff despite making just one bogey over his 36-hole sectional qualifier at Jacksonville, Fla.

The former Hilton Head Christian standout went bogey-free over his final 20 holes at Timuquana Golf Club, including 13 on Tuesday when play resumed following a lengthy suspension to let Tropical Storm Colin move through.

Nimmer carded three birdies Tuesday to finish off a 4-under-par 68, leaving him at 5-under 139 for the qualifier. One more birdie would have allowed the Clemson sophomore to join a playoff for the final two berths, but Nimmer parred each of his final five holes.

Nimmer had hoped to join D.J. Trahan as Open qualifiers from Lowcountry backgrounds to tee it up next week at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh. Trahan, who spent much of his formative years on Hilton Head Island, finished atop Monday’s qualifier outside Memphis, Tenn., following a second-round 62.

The 10th-year PGA Tour veteran will be making his first Open appearance since 2009, when he missed the cut at Bethpage Black. He has one top-10 finish in eight PGA Tour starts this year.

Hilton Head Island’s Andrew Orischak and Bluffton’s Ben Dietrich also attempted to qualify Monday, though neither found themselves in contention over the final holes.

This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 4:59 PM with the headline "Bluffton’s Bryson Nimmer comes up just short in U.S. Open bid."