Hunter Wolcott won his first professional title at the Diners Club Peru Open, finishing two strokes ahead of David Perkins. Despite a rocky start, he secured victory with a strong back-nine performance. With this win, he solidifies his position in the Fortinet Cup and gains exempt membership at PGA TOUR Americas through 2026.
In an impressive display of skill, Hunter Wolcott claimed his first career victory at the Diners Club Peru Open, finishing with a final-round score of 3-under 69, securing the win by two strokes against the previous day’s leader, David Perkins. The triumph allows Wolcott to rise to fourth in the Fortinet Cup standings and ensures an exempt membership on PGA TOUR Americas for 2025 and throughout the 2026 Latin America Swing.
Wolcott started the final round trailing Perkins by one stroke but immediately faced challenges, beginning with a double bogey on the first hole. After a tough front nine, where he sat five shots behind, the golfer found his rhythm. He put together an impressively clean back-nine round, scoring five birdies and avoiding bogeys, including a crucial birdie on the par-3 17th hole just after Perkins suffered a double bogey. Finishing with a par on No. 18 sealed the victory at the stunning Los Inkas Golf Club.
This is not Wolcott’s first taste of competition, though; the 27-year-old had led or co-led after both of the previous rounds of this tournament. However, it’s worth noting that he faced a one-stroke penalty during the second round on his 16th hole for exceeding the time allowed for a shot, leading to a double bogey. Reflecting on that experience, Wolcott stated, “I’m very thankful that I was able to turn the page and turn that energy into focus… You can let yourself be a victim or you can overcome it.”
Having graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2022, Wolcott is now in his fourth year as a professional golfer. He made his first appearance on the PGA TOUR Americas last June after a successful run through mid-season Qualifying School. Last season, he achieved eight cuts out of ten starts, with a notable solo fourth-place finish at the Manitoba Open.
Wolcott is part of a family steeped in athletic achievement; notably, his father, Bob Wolcott, played on the PGA TOUR from 1989 to 1992. Recently, Bob was inducted into the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame, highlighting the family’s long sporting tradition. Hunter’s older brother, Ben, played golf for Ole Miss, and his twin, Collier, played football at UT Martin. Interestingly, Hunter plays chess in his head while golfing, illustrating his strategic approach to the game.
The competition during the Peru Open was challenging, with the course set at a par 72 over 6,882 yards. On the final day, conditions were partly cloudy with a high of 74, allowing for competitive play. Meanwhile, Perkins finished in second with a total score of 17-under, experiencing a tough ending to his round. J.M. Butler, Brett White, and Taylor Funk all tied for third, each scoring 16-under, while others like A.J. Ewart captured significant top-10 finishes.
As Wolcott prepares for the Bupa Championship, scheduled for May 8-11 at Club de Golf Mexico in Mexico City, this victory marks a significant milestone in his burgeoning career. This win may well be just the beginning for a player who has already shown remarkable resilience and talent.
In summary, Hunter Wolcott’s formidable performance at the Diners Club Peru Open has earned him his first career victory while positioning him fourth in the Fortinet Cup standings. His capacity to overcome early difficulties and execute a flawless back-nine demonstrates both resilience and skill. As he embarks on the next leg of his journey with the Latin America Swing secured, the golfing world will be keenly watching his progress. Wolcott’s family legacy and dedication also add a compelling backstory to his budding career.
Original Source: www.pgatour.com
