Home cooking suits Bryson Nimmer in Players Amateur opener
Playing a big tournament on your home course can be a two-edged sword.
Indeed, understanding hidden dangers and nuances around the greens can provide a leg up on the competition. But that’s only if you’re hitting it well — and the expectations of family and friends doesn’t ramp up expectations.
So far, so good for Bryson Nimmer at The Players Amateur.
The Bluffton golfer nearly went bogey-free on Berkeley Hall’s South course Friday, firing a 5-under-par 67 that gave him a share of the first-round lead alongside Australia’s Anthony Quayle.
“It was a really good day,” said Nimmer, the rising Clemson sophomore who birdied three of his final five holes to move into a share of the top spot. “I knew (with) some of the pins, where not to go, and that definitely helped big-time. But I hit the ball really, really well and finally made some putts.”
Quayle made only two bogeys himself, but none on the back side after holing out for eagle to complete his front nine. That left the duo one shot ahead of the rest of the competition on a hot, humid Lowcountry day that sent temperatures rising into the mid-90s.
“You have to look at preserving your energy as much as you can,” said Quayle, who is playing for an eighth consecutive week in a journey that began on the other side of the Atlantic with tournaments in Scotland and England.
Fellow Aussie Cameron John, Alabama sophomore Davis Riley and incoming Georgia freshman Spencer Ralston stood one shot off the pace after 68s, with another 10 golfers no more than three strokes back.
That list included China's Cheng Jin, a Masters participant after capturing the Asia-Pacific Amateur last fall, and former Hilton Head Island High teacher Todd White, who now calls Spartanburg home.
“There’s a lot of good guys out there,” said John. “It’s early days, and everyone’s looking like they’re going to play really well.”
I knew (with) some of the pins, where not to go, and that definitely helped big-time. But I hit the ball really, really well and finally made some putts.
Bryson Nimmer
This week marks Nimmer’s second Players Amateur, getting his first taste of the tournament last summer while yet to enter Clemson. He finished in a tie for 37th, gradually fading after posting an opening 70.
“I’ll admit last year I was a little nervous,” he said. “I wasn’t in college yet, playing with college kids. But I think this tournament was one of the ones that really got me ready for college.”
Nimmer wound up being named the ACC’s Freshman of the Year, helping the Tigers win their first league title in a dozen years. After Clemson placed 14th at the NCAA Tournament, Nimmer came up one stroke shy of getting into a playoff for a U.S. Open berth.
He tuned up for this week by shooting 14-under par over his final three days at the Dogwood Invitational outside Atlanta. “That really gave me a lot of confidence,” he said.
Which, in turn, allowed Nimmer to use all that course knowledge to his advantage. Nor did the family and friends following his group seem to faze him.
“There’s a lot of expectations this week,” Nimmer said. “There’s probably more pressure, knowing you’re expected to play well on your home course. But at the same time, the payoff of knowing the golf course is that much better.”
Quayle was runner-up at last week’s Dogwood Invitational, seemingly just rounding into form after a steady stream of tournament play.
“I went out there today knowing I’d probably be a little bit underdone,” the Aussie said. “I just wanted to make sure I enjoyed myself and burn off as little energy as I could.”
Quayle’s holeout at No.9 certainly helped in that effort, watching his 46-yard second shot land short of the hole and ride the green’s slope to the edge of the cup. After a few seconds, it fell in.
“Walk off, smile and wave,” quipped Quayle, who added three birdies on the back nine to reach his 67.
• Jacoby leads HHI Amateur: Bluffton’s Bubba Jacoby carded an even-par 72 to grab a one-stroke lead after the opening day of the Hilton Head Island Amateur, being held at The Legends Golf Course on Parris Island.
Jacoby managed to stay one step ahead of Jeff Wong, with three-time champion J.D. Hoft among a quartet lurking another stroke behind. That group also included Clemson golfer Josh Fickes of Beaufort, Bluffton’s Chandler Vilcheck and Cat Island’s Benji Gecy.
Jeff Shain: 843-706-8123, @jeffshain
This story was originally published July 8, 2016 at 8:31 PM with the headline "Home cooking suits Bryson Nimmer in Players Amateur opener."