John Peterson really had nothing to lose in the final round of the CIMB Classic. After shooting an opening-round 80, Peterson trailed the lead by 18 shots. Through three rounds, it had doubled to 36 shots. The LSU product was solidly in last place.
So why not try something different?
Teeing off on the 10th hole on Sunday at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, Peterson decided to use a shortened version of the Happy Gilmore swing off the tee. And it worked.
Not a bad effort, though we have to dock Peterson for not trying to rile the modest crowd up like Gilmore did during the 1996 Waterbury Open. It was almost like he knew PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, who was at the event this week, was lurking in the crowd, waiting to hand out a fine for conduct unbecoming of a professional. But who cares?!
Freed up for the round, Peterson shot 6-under 66, his best round of the week by eight shots. However, the good play didn't improve Peterson's position. He still finished in last place -- well, Danny Lee withdrew, so last among the 77 players who finished -- by three shots.
