North Florida golfer Robert Knowles edged out Clemson’s Bryson Nimmer in a playoff to win the Player’s Amateur. (Players Am Photo)

North Florida University golfer Phillip Knowles shot an 8-under par final round of 64 and then parred the second play off hole to capture the Players Amateur championship at the Berkeley Hall Club in Bluffton.

Knowles topped third round leader Bryson Nimmer from Bluffton in the playoff. The All-ACC golfer shot a final round 4-under par 68, but bogeyed the second playoff hole to miss a chance at a major amateur victory.

“This is my favorite tournament of the year. I enjoy being out here,” said Nimmer.

” Obviously, I love the course. I am looking forward to next year and hopefully I can do a little better.,” said the Clemson junior.

Both golfers had their rounds interrupted by rain. Play was suspended for three and a half hours with Nimmer and Knowles having only a few holes left to play.

Clemson golfer Bryson Nimmer finished as the runner-up at the Players Am. (Players Am Photo)

After the rain, Nimmer carded a birdie, a par and a bogey on the finishing hole to end up in a tie with Knowles,

Both golfers finished at 13-under par and in a playoff that Knowles won with a par on the second playoff hole.

“You dream of this,” said Knowles. ” I started the day, I don’t know how many back, and you dream of going out there and playing one of the best rounds of your career,” he said.

In addition to earning the championship in a nationally recognized amateur event, Knowles receives an invitation to play in the 2018 RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing next April.

“I made the putt, I looked at him (Knowles caddy), and he says you just qualified for your first PGA TOUR event. I have no words. I am excited to come back,” said the winner.

While Nimmer missed a chance at a win he has been in the mix in three major events since the spring. He finished as the runner-up at the ACC Championship, earned a sixth place finish at the Dogwood Invitational and another second place at this tournament in his home town.