Czech Masters: Paul Peterson Takes Down Pieters at the Czech Masters

Unheralded American Paul Peterson finished with 18th hole heroics to take down Ryder Cup hopeful Thomas Pieters at the D+D REAL Czech Masters

In a battle of the similarly surnamed Paul Peterson and Thomas Pieters, the underdog came out on top in Prague on Sunday at the D+D REAL Czech Masters.

The 28-year-old American had never even won on the Asian Tour where he primarily plays these days, but after a few spot starts on the European Tour, Peterson cashed in in a big way.

The world No. 398 stared down a player who is becoming a household name in Pieters who was primed to be on the Olympic podium last week until a third-round 77 derailed his chances.

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Pair that fact with the world No. 49 Pieters returning to Albatross Golf Resort to defend his 2015 Czech Masters title and many were ready to hand the Belgian the trophy at day’s beginning when he owned a two-stroke lead over Peterson.

The duo took turns owning the lead throughout the front nine and they were squared at 13-under through 15 holes. Feeling the heat, Peterson made a crucial birdie on No. 16 to go up by one in what had a match play feel down the stretch as the nearest chasers were at least three strokes back.

After a stalemate of pars on No. 17, Pieters stiffed his approach shot on the par-4 18th to apply pressure on Peterson, who was safely on the green approximately 30 feet away.

A playoff appeared eminent, but Peterson showed a steely resolve in sinking his lengthy birdie putt to win for the first time since his minor league days in the US.

To even get to that point took some heavy lifting.

(Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts/Getty Images) /

Peterson sat eight strokes back of the lead after 36 holes with pedestrian rounds of 72 and 70 to make the cut by four. Likely owning the mindset of needing to post some good scores on the weekend to bolster his bank account, Peterson did more than that on Saturday to find himself in the final pairing come Sunday.

The Oregon State alum carded a bogey-free round of eight-under 64 to match the course record, in what was only his third sub-70 round on the European Tour.

Now, €166,600 (approximately $188,666) richer, Peterson will have full European Tour access next season.

Meanwhile, Pieters’ chances at an automatic Ryder Cup berth were all but dashed as he likely needed a win this week and next week in Denmark to do so. Given his strong play of late, Pieters will hope his recent performance will catch the eye of European captain, Darren Clarke.

Back to the tournament, a few other names hung around to contend for the title on Sunday but never made the necessary charge.

The surprise 18-hole leader in Ryan Evans of England also had a career performance in a finish tied for third with veteran David Howell at -11.

Matthew Fitzpatrick, one of the pre-tournament favorites, had a steady showing in tying for fifth at -10. The 22-year-old finished under par in all four rounds to capture the mid-season form that has him positioned for a likely automatic Ryder Cup berth.

David Lipsky finished alone in sixth and was one of five Americans to make the cut, a rare occurrence on the European Tour.

Tying for 27th at -4 was Lee Westwood, who finished at par or better in all four rounds but was unable to crack 70 in order to climb into contention.

Taking a break from the senior circuit, 50-year-old John Daly made his first professional cut of the season in tying for 51st at -1.

Czech Masters Day 4 Scores and Final Leaderboard

T1. Paul Peterson — 67 (-15)

2. Thomas Pieters — 70 (-14)

T3. David Howell — 68 (-11)

T3. Ryan Evans — 68 (-11)

5. Matthew Fitzpatrick — 69 (-10)

6. David Lipsky — 70 (-9)

T7. Gary Boyd — 69 (-8)

T7. Robert Karlsson — 71 (-8)

T7. Graeme Storm — 72 (-8)

T7. Robert Rock — 73 (-8)

Next: Olympic Golf: Inbee Park Claims Gold Medal for Korea

The European Tour marches on next week for the Made in Denmark tournament at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort in Farsø, Denmark.

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