Clemson, S.C.—Senior Bryson Nimmer fired a career best seven-under-par 63 to lead Clemson to a near record 267 team score on Saturday at the Maui Jim Intercollegiate at Mirabel Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. Clemson stands in a tie for sixth place in the 14-team field entering Sunday’s final round.
Clemson had a score of 282 for the first round on Friday, worst in the field. Larry Penley’s Tigers then shot a 13-under-par 267 on Saturday, the best score in the field and the third best single round total in Clemson history. The record is a 264 at the Ka’anapali Classic in Hawaii in 2016.
Clemson is tied for sixth with Kent State after 36 holes with a 549 score. LSU and host school Arizona State hold the lead at 537, 23-under par on the par 70 course. Clemson is just three shots our of fourth place.
Nimmer had nine-hole scores of 32-31 in recording his 63. It was his career best, one shot better than his 64 at the NCAA National Tournament at Stillwater Oklahoma last May. It was just one stroke off the all-time Clemson record of 62 set by William Nottingham two years ago in Raleigh, NC. He had seven birdies and no bogeys on Saturday and now has 11 birdies and no bogeys for the first two rounds.
Nimmer now has played five rounds this young season and has had four rounds in the 60s. He shot a final round 65 at the Carpet Classic two weeks ago to gain his first tournament victory as a college golfer. Entering Sunday’s final round he trails Chun An Yu of Arizona State by just one shot.
Freshman Jacob Bridgeman had a second round 67, his best round as a Tiger, thanks to six birdies and three bogeys. He stands at 136 after two rounds and is in 19th place.
Nottingham also had a 67 on Saturday thanks to five birdies and two bogeys. The junior had four birdies in a row on holes 6-9. He has played the par three holes at two-under-par so far in the tournament, tied for the best in the field of 78 golfers.
Kyle Cottam had an even par 70 on Saturday and stands at 143 after 36 holes. Freshman Turk Pettit had a one over par 71 on Saturday, a seven-shot improvement over his first round.
Live scoring is available on golfstat.com.
