SUMMIT, N.J. – Upon qualifying for his first United States Open Championship, James Nicholas ran straight into the arms of America.

That’s his fiancée’s name, America Richmond. Fitting, right?

Richmond was among the 50 or so family and friends following Nicholas’ quest at Monday’s 36-hole U.S. Open final qualifier at Canoe Brook, a little over an hour – without traffic, of course – from Nicholas’ hometown of Scarsdale, New York. As Nicholas approached the North Course’s 18th green, with a tricky third shot from the rough upcoming but two shots clear of the field, his faithful gallery was just a few steps behind, nearly engulfing him in anticipation. The scene resembled an off-Broadway matinee of Phil at Kiawah, and Nicholas was playing lead.

Though he three-putted for bogey, it was just

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