HONOLULU — The Sony Open traditionally serves as a platform for new faces, and Paul Peterson certainly made a memorable debut. He kicked off the tournament with an impressive 6-under 64, sharing the lead with five others on a sunny Thursday at Waialae.
Among the contenders tying for the lead were Harry Hall, Denny McCarthy, Eric Cole, and Adam Schenk, all of whom also achieved a score of 64. In the afternoon session, Tom Hoge, who had tied for eighth at Kapalua the previous week, matched that score as well, completing his round with two eagles, one of which he described as somewhat lucky—an 8-iron shot from 189 yards that hit the pin and rolled into the hole.
“I just hoped it wouldn’t roll past the green,” Hoge noted after his round.
Hideki Matsuyama, who recently set a record for lowest score to par at Kapalua, finished with a 67 after making birdie on two of his last three holes. He is aiming to become the third player ever to win consecutive events in Hawaii.
Peterson is a unique case among newcomers. The left-handed golfer from Oregon State holds five passport books filled with stamps from 44 countries. His experience spans across six different tours worldwide, not including the mini-tours he competed on in states like Arizona and the Dakotas early in his career.
“Do I feel like a rookie? Not really,” Peterson said. “I’ve traveled extensively and learned a lot about golf internationally, which has prepared me for this moment. Though part of me wishes I had gotten to this level sooner, I wouldn’t change the experiences I’ve had.”
The Sony Open marks the first full-field event of the PGA Tour calendar, drawing a large number of rookies and recent graduates from the Korn Ferry Tour.
Peterson, who finally made his way back to the PGA Tour by finishing in the top 30 on the Korn Ferry Tour with a victory in Tennessee, felt confident throughout the week. His practice session on Tuesday was so productive that he wished the tournament could start a day earlier.
His wait proved beneficial as he made three birdies in his first eight holes. On the par-5 ninth, Peterson launched a 7-wood into the soft tropical breeze, landing it just five feet from the hole for an eagle. He continued with two more birdies in the subsequent holes, creating a string of six consecutive 3s on his scorecard that put him at 7 under.
Although he later encountered a few bogeys, Peterson managed to recover, finishing the round with another 7-wood that positioned him for a two-putt birdie on the par-5 18th, joining the leading group.
His journey began after leaving Oregon State to play on the Canadian tour, eventually earning a card for the Asian Tour. Peterson secured his first major victory at the Czech Masters, defeating Thomas Pieters on the European Tour, and followed it with another win in Myanmar. He aimed to improve his world ranking with a membership on the Japan Golf Tour but fell short of breaking into the top 100, with No. 120 being his highest rank. Notably, he has yet to compete in a major championship.
Despite the challenges, Peterson’s experiences traveling and adapting to varying conditions on the course have contributed to his growth as a golfer. A standout memory from his career was in 2015 when he was paired with Tom Watson during his final European Tour appearance, a moment he treasures greatly.
“I got to play alongside him on Sunday, and it was really cool. He signed a golf ball for me,” Peterson recalled.
Traveling around the globe has also made him aware of his weaknesses. Playing in windy conditions back home in Oregon was particularly difficult for him, and the pristine climate in Arizona made for easier playing conditions. He eventually relocated to Sea Island in Georgia, where he finds competitive opportunities with other PGA Tour players.
Despite being categorized as a rookie, Peterson carries himself with the confidence of an experienced player. The weather at Waialae remained favorable, with light winds and challenging Bermuda rough, while the greens always pose a challenge due to their deceptive reads.
Hall, McCarthy, and Schenk all played without a bogey, while Hall experienced a few challenges, including a double bogey when he struggled to escape a bunker on No. 8. However, Hall, who recently won the ISCO Championship in Kentucky, is riding high from his previous success and eager to maximize his opportunities at Kapalua. He also praises the benefits of working with renowned swing coach Butch Harmon in Las Vegas as he seeks to elevate his game.
“I approached him and he got back to me a few months later, and since we’ve started working together, I’ve seen great improvement,” Hall noted.
