This guy remains the only PGA Tour pro to pull off a 'Happy Gilmore' swing during an actual tournament
Golf fans are feeling rather nostalgic after the long-awaited release of "Happy Gilmore 2" on Friday, nearly three decades after the original. But they might not realize that we're also coming up on the 10-year anniversary of arguably the most impressive moment stemming from that classic film.
There's a good chance that you don't remember what happened at the 2015 CIMB Classic in Malaysia, but it's notable for a couple reasons. For one, Justin Thomas earned his maiden PGA Tour victory, shooting 26 under and holding off Adam Scott by one shot in an absolute shootout.
But this post is about what John Peterson did the final day. On the first tee.
In dead last through three rounds, Peterson didn't have much to play for that Sunday. So he decided to start his round by hitting a tee shot Happy Gilmore style—and he pulled it off perfectly. Take a look at the highlight Peterson shared (again) on Friday:
What a thing of beauty. Although, it appeared no one in the crowd realized what had happened. Maybe "Happy Gilmore" isn't that big in Malaysia.
"Let it be known if you Gilmore it off the first on Sunday you shoot 6 under," he said at the time. Which was true for him. Peterson, now retired from professional golf and running a garage service company, made par on the hole and shot 66. He still finished dead last in the field of 78, but he'll always have that highlight.
So while many have imitated Happy's funky move, Peterson remains the only PGA Tour pro to do it during an actual tournament. And for that, he deserves his own gold jacket.