Tour Pro John Peterson Facing Potential Career Fork In Road
Three-time LSU All-American John Peterson is at a career fork in the road. Like many highly decorated golfers, sometimes those accolades don’t transfer to the PGA Tour’s big stage. But unlike some of the others, Peterson has a Plan B and feels comfortable going in that direction.
Unless the Wells Fargo Championship’s first round leader can make about $320 large to keep his card. GolfWorld’s Alex Myers and GolfChannel’s Ryan Lavner have the details of a guy who “gets it” when your path takes an unforeseen turn.
John Peterson’s pro golf career hasn’t taken off quite as planned. But now at only 29, he might be making his most unexpected move yet. Retirement.
That’s right, Peterson plans to hang up his competitive spikes in the coming weeks unless he does something pretty special. Playing on a medical extension — he’s been plagued by a bone issue in his left hand since 2015 — Peterson needs to earn $318,092 in his next three starts to keep his PGA Tour card.
“I’m kind of freewheeling it at this point,” Peterson told reporters on Thursday evening. “I know a little bit has been said about me retiring if I don’t make the necessary money for my medical starts, and all that’s true. If I don’t make it, I’m not playing golf anymore.”
But it’s more than on-course struggles playing into Peterson’s decision. He doesn’t love the traveling lifestyle of a tour pro — especially since the birth of his first kid, Luke, in October.
“I like it a lot out here. I’m just — you know, I just kind of want to be a dad and like be around my kid and my family more often, even though, yeah, they’re here this week, but they can’t come every week,” Peterson said. “Thirty-five weeks on the road a year or so? It’s just not for me.”
“I’m going to try to win this golf tournament,” Peterson said. “I’m going to try to win it, I promise you. I’m going to do everything I can to win. But if it doesn’t happen – whatever, you know? I’ve got everything in place. Either way is fine with me.”
