Justin Peters isn’t content to be an answer to a trivia question. But as the winner on “The Big Break,” a reality show/golf skills competition on the Golf Channel three years ago, that’s his current lot in life.
What Peters really wants is career on the PGA Tour. Monday at Little Bennett Golf Course in Clarksburg, Peters took a step toward that goal, shooting a 7-under-par 65 to take medalist honors at the Booz Allen Qualifier.
Peters, a 29-year-old from Plantation, Fla., will join fellow qualifiers Brandon Knaub (67) of Ashland, Mo., Brent Delahoussaye (68) of Greenville, S.C., and Donnie Hammond (68) of Heathrow, Fla. at the Booz Allen Classic Thursday. The tournament runs through Sunday at the Tournament Players Club at Avenel.
“I love playing in front of crowds — the cameras, the aura of the PGA Tour,” said Peters, who is originally from Boston. “The one [Tour] event I got to play in, I felt as calm as I’ve ever been. I loved it. I made birdies where the crowds were. I get chills just thinking about it. The Tour — that’s where I want to be.”
Peters lit up the front nine Monday at Little Bennett, firing a 31. He got a boost on No. 5, where he drained a 40-foot putt to save par, then made three straight birdies. He followed with immaculate play the rest of the way, finishing with seven birdies and no bogeys.
“I just want one chance,” said Peters. “I want that one chance to get out there with the big boys.”
Despite winning the inaugural “Big Break,” Peters is still looking for his. By winning the reality show competition, Peters earned exemptions to four events on the Canadian Tour. He played well enough in those events to get into four more Canadian Tour tournaments that year. But he ultimately earned little more than expense money.
“There was some resentment from the players,” said Peters. “Some of them viewed me as a trick-shot guy who didn’t really earn his way out there. But I made some friends and overall, it was a great experience.”
Notes
Hammond, a 49-year-old former winner on the PGA Tour, is originally from Frederick. He and Delahoussaye survived a nine-man playoff for the final two slots. Hammond did it playing four playoff holes in 2-under. Delahoussaye secured his slot with birdies on two of the first three playoff holes.
Results
Booz Allen Classic Qualifier
Little Bennett Golf Course, Clarksburg
Justin Peters, Plantation, Fla. 65*
Brandon Knaub, Ashland, Mo. 67*
Brent Delahoussaye, Greenville, SC 68*
Donnie Hammond, Heathrow, Fla. 68*
Sean Murphy, Scottsdale, Ariz. 68
Scott Piercy, Las Vegas 68
Michael Muehr, Washington, D.C. 68
Derek Gillespie, Davenport, Fla. 68
Esteban Toledo, Irvine, Calif. 68
Len Mattice, Jacksonville, Fla. 68
Gibby Martens, Laredo, Texas 68
Kyle Stough, Laurel 69
John Stoltz, Kiesha Lakes, NY 70
Marshall Pickett, Wilmington, N.C. 70
Yong Joo, Mauertown, Va. 70
Wil Moore, Dallas
