John Peterson a slow starter at every level, making progress on PGA Tour

 

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – John Peterson never had to worry about a sophomore slump. At just about every level, his struggles started much sooner. 

 

"Some guys get it right away," Peterson said. "Others don't." 

 

His rookie season on the PGA Tour was so bad that Peterson made only seven cuts and finished No. 179 on the FedExCup. 

 

Just like that, he was back to the Web.com Tour Finals and four tournaments away from heading back to the minors. 

 

The 25-year-old from LSU saw it more as a second chance than a reminder of his failures. He breezed through the finals for the second straight year to get his card back, and this time is off to a stronger start. 

 

Or at least a more consistent one. 

 

"I made seven cuts all of last year," he said. "I made my first seven this year." 

 

Peterson has missed only one cut in 11 starts, and while he still doesn't feel as if he's playing to a level he should, he at least got into the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has twice been on the fringe of contention in the final two hours at the Humana Challenge and Farmers Insurance Open. 

 

"I'm making steps toward doing better," he said. "But I'm still mediocre, and it's aggravating me. I'm sick of being just another name on the list. It took me a couple of years in college to win, and once I did I was a really good player. This is my second year out here. I believe I can win out here now. I didn't believe it last year." 

 

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Peterson believes there are exceptions to the rule. He mentioned Jordan Spieth, who won as a 19-year-old rookie and was the youngest American to play in the Presidents Cup. He mentioned the fast start by Justin Thomas, and Harris English winning twice in one year. 

 

Peterson said he was never comfortable last year. 

 

"I was changing everything – clubs, balls, caddies, instructors, houses, states. I never kept anything the same," he said. "I kept searching for instant gratification." 

 

If he had not made it through Web.com Tour Finals, Peterson wonders if he would still be in golf. He was only half-kidding. In his bag were wedges with military themes, such as "Rangers" and "Frogmen." It was a tribute to his heroes, and it was a personal. 

 

Peterson said he would have contemplated joining the military. His is the first generation to not have someone in the military. 

 

"My uncle was 20 years in the Navy. Both my granddads were in the Army, and their parents as well," he said. "If I wasn't playing golf, I'd be in the military. I don't want to read spread sheets like my accountant friends. I'd be in the Middle East by choice." 

 

But then he looked around and his environment and smile. 

 

"I'm here," he said. "And the PGA Tour is a decent job."