@by2:Columbian staff writer
Paul Peterson claimed the Royal Oaks Invitational Tournament crown on Sunday evening, although one could easily argue he won the amateur event Saturday.
When most of the rest of the field was going backward Saturday, Peterson maintained his game. He followed his 68 on Friday with a 69 on Saturday, giving him a seven-stroke lead heading into Sunday’s final round.
Peterson, who just completed his college eligibility at Oregon State, ended up needing much of that cushion, too, coming home with a 78. His three-day total of 215 — 1-under-par — ended up being two strokes better than Tom Brandes, who shot the low round of the day Sunday with a 2-under-par 70.
“It was a different experience for me, playing with the lead,” Peterson said. “It’s a different ballgame than when you’re playing from behind. It was definitely a learning experience. Not exactly the way you want to go out, those last few holes, but whatever it takes to get the ‘W.’ ”
Years from now, he likely will not remember his four-putt on the 18th green, or that 78 on the card. Instead, he will picture the first two rounds of spectacular play. The average score among the golfers in the open division jumped three strokes from the first round to the second.
It was worse than that for the other two golfers who were tied for the lead after Friday. Eric Hanson shot a 76 on Saturday, and Arthur Kim shot an 80. Hans Reimers, who had a 69 in the opening round, followed with a 78.
Peterson, though, remained steady on Saturday.
“I didn’t give any shots back to the course, really. I only had one bogey through the first 36 holes,” Peterson said. “It’s definitely an advantage. I played really well the last few days.”
Sunday started fine for Peterson, too. He made par on every hole on the front nine.
Hanson, a former Seattle Mariners pitcher, closed the gap to five strokes by shooting 2-under on the front, which included a run of three consecutive birdies.
Both players carded a bogey on the 11th, but then Hanson got to within three strokes when he birdied the 12th and Peterson made bogey. The lead was two after another Peterson bogey on 14.
“It was a different golf course today,” Peterson said. “Plus, having the extra pressure of having a guy creep up on you.”
He said he just tried to calm himself down and re-focus for the closing holes.
Peterson got a par on the 15th, and Hanson struggled, playing the final four holes at 5-over-par.
Not that Peterson was much better down the stretch, but he earned the victory with his play over the first two days of competition.
“I had a slow college season. I didn’t get to go to nationals with my team, so I had a chip on my shoulder coming in,” Peterson said. “I really wanted to play well.”
He became the fourth consecutive Pac-10 golfer to win this tournament, following Jamie Core of Cal in 2009, Jack Dukeminier of Oregon in 2008, and Brandon Beck of Cal in 2007.
“This is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the Northwest,” Peterson said. “It means a lot to get my summer off to a strong start like this. Hopefully, it’s something I can build on.”
Peterson said he has a number of amateur events to play this summer, and he hopes to qualify for the U.S. Amateur. He then plans on turning pro in the fall.
Brandes, the 2006 Royal Oaks Invitational champion, had rounds of 70-77-70 to finish at 1-over, alone in second place. Reimers finished third at 2-over, Hanson was fourth at 3-over, and Dukeminier, at 6-over-par, rounded out the top five.
