Clemson, Nimmer in First Place Entering Final Round in Puerto Rico

Clemson, S.C.—Bryson Nimmer fired a five-under-par 67, leading Clemson to a tournament best 276 team score and a first-place ranking after the second round of the Puerto Rico Classic in El Grande, PR on Monday.   Clemson has a seven shot lead over 10th ranked Georgia entering Tuesday’s final round.

Clemson is trying to win the Puerto Rico Classic for just the second time in 25 appearances.   The Tigers have finished second on nine occasions and third twice, but the only win came in 1999 when future PGA Tour players Lucas Glover and Jonathan Byrd were in the Clemson lineup.

Clemson, with a 560 team score through 36 holes, has a seve-shot lead over Georgia, who stands at 567.   Kentucky is third at 571 and NC State is fourth at 575. Other ACC teams in the field include Georgia Tech, who is fifth at 578, North Carolina, who is 10th at 586 and Virginia Tech, who is 12th at 592.

Nimmer has a three-shot lead over Jamie Lopez Rivarola of Georgia entering the final round. The Clemson sophomore has had rounds of 69-67 for a 136 total through 36 holes. He had six birdies and a bogey on Monday when he jumped into the lead. He has now shot in the 60s for three consecutive rounds dating to the final round of the fall in Hawaii when he had a 65. The Clemson record is five by Billy Kennerly two years ago.

Nimmer had plenty of support on Monday as three other Tigers shot under par. Senior Austin Langdale had a wild round with eight birdies and five bogeys for a three-under-par 69. He had five birdies on the back side to come back strong after an opening round 79.

Doc Redman had a solid 69 after four birdies and a bogey on Monday. His two-day total of 141 is good enough for sixth place. Carson Young had his second straight 71 and is in a tie for 12th place after two rounds with a 142 total.

Clemson will be attempting to get its second consecutive tournament victory and its third this season on Tuesday when the 15 teams in the field play the final round.   Entering the final round Clemson has a tournament best 45 birdies.

Puerto Rico Classic

Rio Mar Country Club

El Grande, Puerto Rico

Team scores through 36 holes

1. Clemson 560, 2. Georgia 567, 3. Kentucky 571, 4. N.C State 575, 5. Georgia Tech and Middle Tennessee State 578, 7. Purdue 580, 8. Ohio State 581, 9. Northwestern 582, 10. North Carolina 586, 11. Mississippi 590, 12. Virginia Tech 592, 13. Alabama and UNC Greensboro 593, 15. Maryland 600.

Clemson Individuals

1. Bryson Nimmer 136, 6. Doc Redman 141, 12. Carson Young 142, 42. Josh Fickes 148, 42. Austin Langdale, 142.