"Big Break" Winner Preparing for California Events

Justin Peters, winner of the first season of "The Big Break" reality show on The Golf Channel, got off to a rough start in his first two Canadian Tour events in February. A painful and serious injury knocked him out of action. His next two Canadian Tour events are coming up this month in California. We caught up with Justin recently to see how he's healing and how he's feeling.

As champion of "The Big Break," Peters received four exemptions in Canadian Tour events in 2004. The first two came in February in Austin, Texas.

Unfortunately, shortly before the first tournament, Peters pulled a muscle in his side. It was painful, but he tried to play through it. Peters was on the leaderboard in the first round of the Barton Creek Classic when he aggravated the injury, causing further damage and leading to his withdrawal from the second event in Austin.

But Peters has been able to start working on his game again in preparation for his next two exemptions, tournaments coming up this month in California.

"Things are moving along pretty well," Peters said. "April 1 was the first day I hit a full shot since the injury. It feels pretty sore and fatigued, but it is holding up so far. I am still a little nervous that it will rip again."

Peters has been invited to play in the Hootie and The Blowfish Pro-Am in Myrtle Beach, S.C., on April 12. Then he heads to California for the Greater Sacramento Open, April 15-18, and E-Loan Central Valley Classic in Stockton April 22-25.

"I am working hard on trying to get my game sharp," Peters said. "I still am lacking financial backing to play full time. ... I am trying not to worry about that stuff. I am just going to focus on playing well and let the chips fall where they may."