Former LSU golfer John Peterson, who burst onto the scene in 2012 when he finished T4 at the U.S. Open may be retiring after this week.
Peterson suffered multiple injuries over the last couple of years that set his game back. In his return to the PGA Tour this season, Peterson’s priorities have changed. He’s now married and has a son and doesn’t enjoy the travel that’s involved in being a professional golfer.
Earlier this year, Peterson stated that if he did not earn enough money to earn at least a conditional status on the Tour, he would hang it up and retire.
Entering this week, Peterson needed to earn $60,000 for conditional status or $260,000 for full status.
While he’s currently inside the cut line of -3 at the Greenbrier, he is … well, -3 and in a tie for 57th which would not earn him enough money for any status on Tour.
Guess I’ll hang around this @PGATOUR for a couple more days….at least….
— John Peterson (@JohnPetersonFW) July 6, 2018
Peterson likely needs a top 25 finish to earn at least $60k, and although he has made the cut in 6 of the 7 events he’s entered this season, it doesn’t look like he’ll be playing professional golf anymore.
At LSU he was one of the most talented golfers and the potential was there, but even Peterson admits that his work ethic early on was lacking.
“I just haven’t liked professional golf,” Peterson says.
“I’m not pulling for either outcome. I’m trying as hard as I can because it’s still my job. But once I don’t have status, after my last round,I’m done. There’s no mulling around, trying to grind it out on the Web.
“Not everybody is cut out for it.”
Peterson doesn’t seem like the guy who will miss the grind, but instead, one who will enjoy hanging out with his buddies on the course.
“That’s probably more my speed, to be honest,” he says. “Get out there, couple beers, play some golf with some guys who might wanna invest. At least I’d be here in town.”
[Quotes via SI]