A globe-trotting lefty from Oregon stole the show at the Sony Open Thursday, sharing the lead with five others after a spectacular opening round in Hawaii.
Paul Peterson fired a 6-under 64 at Waialae, proving his worldwide experience is paying off on golf’s biggest stage.
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He’s not your typical PGA Tour rookie. Peterson has stamps from 44 countries across five passport books, having played on six different professional tours around the world.
“Whether I feel like a rookie, no,” Peterson said. “I’ve seen a lot of golf in a lot of places.”
Harry Hall, Denny McCarthy, Eric Cole, Adam Schenk and Tom Hoge also shot 64s to share the lead. Hoge’s round included two eagles – one a lucky break when his 8-iron from the rough hit the flagstick and dropped in.
“I was just hoping it wouldn’t go over the green,” Hoge laughed.
Former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama stayed in the hunt with a solid 67, keeping alive his chances to become just the third player ever to sweep both Hawaii tournaments.
Peterson’s path to the PGA Tour reads like a travel blog. After leaving Oregon State, he won tournaments in places like the Czech Republic and Myanmar, bouncing between tours in Asia, Europe, and even the Dakotas.
One of his favorite memories? Playing with golf legend Tom Watson in Holland.
“He was the coolest. He signed a golf ball for me,” Peterson recalled.
The perfect Hawaiian conditions – barely a breath of wind – helped the scoring, though Waialae’s tricky Bermuda grass rough still caused problems.
England’s Harry Hall had his own impressive round despite a double bogey, making 10 birdies with help from his new coach – the legendary Butch Harmon.
“Since working with him, I’ve played really nice,” Hall said.
The tournament marks the PGA Tour’s first full-field event of 2024, featuring a mix of veterans and fresh faces from the Korn Ferry Tour development circuit.
For Peterson, it’s been a long road to get here. But after watching him play Thursday, it looks like he belongs.
