FRENCH LICK, Indiana - Paul Peterson, an Oregon State University graduate has traveled the globe since turning pro in 2012, trying to make it to the PGA Tour.

A couple of weeks ago on September 17, that dream became a reality after winning the Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation the second leg of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, Peterson has clinched his 2025 PGA TOUR card via the season-long Korn Ferry Tour Points List.

“It was cool moment, not quite sure its sunk in yet,” Peterson said. “It’s been 10 years in the making and feels good to get something I’ve worked so long for. It’s hard to put into words.”

With the win, it guaranteed that Peterson would be in the top 30 Points List after the Korn Ferry Tour Championship which was the clincher to attaining that elusive tour card.

Although Peterson was born in Tucson, Arizona he grew up in Salem, Oregon and attended Sprague High School before playing at Oregon State University. He has played on the DP World Tour, Japan Golf Tour and Asian Tour among other golf circuits.

Along his journey, Peterson who is 36 has visited 40 countries and six continents to chase his dream in professional golf. Included along the way were wins in the Czech Republic and Myanmar, and playing in Thailand.

“It wasn’t the journey I thought it would take out of college. I didn’t make it through the second round of Q-school in 2013,” Peterson said. “We worked with some coaches who helped me get my Asian Tour card for about 10 years, I played in Europe for 5 years of that and a year in Japan. Playing different courses, different grasses, along with the golf it changes your perspective of traveling and seeing the world through a different lens.

“I really appreciate the opportunity to play on the PGA Tour, and achieve the goal I set out to do, its taken a while but I wouldn’t trade the journey for the world.”

The Oregon native calls St. Simons Island, Georgia his home now, after moving there in 2018. He has made two PGA Tour starts previously making two cuts and his best finish was tied for 29th at the 2015 CIMB Classic.

He has six top 20 finishes in his last 12 starts on the Korn Ferry Tour which was highlighted by the win at the Simmons Bank Open propelling him to his PGA Tour card for the 2025 season.

During his time with the Beavers from 2006-2010 he had his best finish at the Wyoming Cowboy Classic where he finished tied for second (-7, 203).

Peterson won the 2005 OGA Junior Stroke Play Championship, was part of Oregon's 2005 Junior America's Cup team that tied for first. He was a two-time district champion at Sprague High School and had 10 wins in his last two years of high school.

“I had a very supportive upbringing from family and friends,” Peterson said. “The Oregon Golf Association is a wonderful golf organization, to push Oregon to be on the map, despite some of the challenges with the weather. I have unbelievable memories of the Hogan Cup. I have a lot of people to thank to help getting me here. I have so many positive memories from junior golf to now.”

When asked what he was looking forward to about on the PGA Tour, Peterson embraced the big stage.

“Playing in front of more people, great crowds, being a great entertainer and being able to play in front of people is something I’ve enjoyed and the challenge it brings,” Peterson said. “It’s the most competitive tour in the world, to see where you stack up and where you need to improve. No greater tour to figure out what you need to do to be the best version of yourself as a golfer.”

He will make his PGA Tour debut in January.

Exactly what event in January will be determined after the Korn Ferry Tour Championship which starts today in French Lick, Indiana at the French Lick Golf Resort.

Buckle up... his travels have paid off, his golf adventure has brought him back to the U.S., and the dream is just beginning for Peterson.