Tiger Woods won’t be the only “Tiger” this weekend in the 112th U.S. Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. John Peterson, a former LSU standout and 2011 NCAA men’s national champion, qualified for his first major event during his rookie season at the professional level. “It’s just another golf tournament,” Peterson said. “You’re just trying to get the ball in the hole as quick as possible. It’s just a lot more people care about this one.” The 7,170-yard lake-lined course is a part of America’s oldest athletic club and has hosted the Open four times in its 152-year history. Golf Digest ranked the Olympic Club as the 13th-toughest in the nation, with the course’s legendary first hole standing as a daunting 520-yard par 4. “The first six holes are brutal,” Peterson said. The entire stretch is mammoth. Five hundred-yard par 4, a 250-yard par 3, 1-over or even [on those holes] and you’re right there with the best of the field.” To help him continue to progress with his game, Peterson’s swing coach is also the man who coached him for four years at LSU. Peterson calls LSU coach Chuck Winstead before tournaments to get his college coach’s perspective on how to approach courses. And when Peterson is back in Baton Rouge, Winstead still mentors the PGA rookie. “[John] is one of the straightest drivers in the business,” Winstead said in a text message Wednesday. “I told him to be aggressive with his tee shots. The easiest way to have a poor week in the US Open is to be chipping for birdie.” A few familiar faces will be on the course with Peterson. Morgan Hoffman, a friend of Peterson’s and a former Oklahoma State golfer, is paired with him during the first two rounds, along with Aaron Watkins. Peterson and Hoffman have known each other throughout college, with the two squaring off while Hoffman was still donning the Cowboy orange. And Peterson won’t be the only former Tiger competing this weekend. 2001 PGA Championship winner David Toms joins Peterson in the field at the Olympic Club, playing a practice round on Tuesday with Peterson and the tour’s hottest player, Jason Dufner. “[Toms] helped me with my tee shots and picking out a good target,” Peterson said. “He’s helped me not get caught up in the circus surrounding the event.” Peterson said he and Toms have become close since he joined the tour. According to Peterson, Toms has stayed in close touch with the LSU golf team through the years. It won’t be entirely new territory for Peterson, either. This is Peterson’s fifth PGA event since he began his rookie season in February. In four events, he made the cut three times and has earned more than $32,000, with his best result coming in the Mayakoba Golf Classic where he shot 1-over-par to tie for 55th. The tour has proven not to be all fun and games for Peterson, though. He said the constant travel and distance from his family has been difficult. Peterson’s 2:30 p.m. Central time tee-off today also comes less than a week after the death of his grandmother. “It’s tough that I can’t be there for [my family],” Peterson said. “In college, I would have just flown home to be with them.” However, Peterson will have to put that behind him as he takes on the best in the world. “This type of course and set up divides those that are ‘on’ and those that are having ‘off’ weeks,” Winstead said. “John can be right in the mix with a good week.”
 
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