Eagan Native Plays U.S. Amateur

Ryan Peterson noticed something different from his past U.S. Amateur experiences the minute he stepped up to the first tee Monday.

The Colorado State senior was calmer and possessed more confidence in his game. The results were obvious as Peterson fired a two-under 68 at Blue Mound Country Club in Wauwatosa, Wisc., placing him in a tie for 21st place after the first round of stroke play. The U.S. Amateur continues Tuesday with a second round of stroke play, after which the field of 312 will be cut to 64 for head-to-head match play competition through Sunday.

“I played well, I played solid all day,” said Peterson, who grew up in Eagan. “They had a couple tricky pins that you have to play for the center of the green, but I felt like you kind of could go at them a bit and give yourself 15-footers for birdie and I just made some of them.”

Peterson had an up-and-down front nine, recording three birdies and two bogeys on his way to a 34 before making the turn. He then made eight straight pars on the back nine before recording a birdie on the 563-yard, par-5 18th hole.

His 68 puts him in prime position to advance past stroke play for the first time in his three attempts. Last year at Chambers Bay, Peterson was assessed a one-stroke penalty for slow play and ended up missing the cut by one stroke.

Peterson will take on the golf course at Erin Hills, which can play as long as 7,760 yards, on Tuesday.

“I want to come out and definitely make match play this year and I’m trying to win this thing,” Peterson said. “I’ve just got to take the shots as they come, be patient and can’t force the issue.”

Indeed, a philosophy that only comes from someone who is calm, cool and collected.