The odds seemed stacked against Raul Pereda heading into the PGA Tour’s Q-School tournament. Since turning professional in 2018, he had made only one start at the highest level and was ranked No. 891 in the world entering the week, but it soon became clear Pereda was right where he belonged.
A native of Cordoba, Mexico, Pereda attended Jacksonville University. While there, he established himself in the community and frequented Sawgrass Country Club and the Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass, the two host sites for Q-School. Immediately, he felt at home and, after 54 holes, Pereda had put himself in position to contend for one of the five available PGA Tour cards.
“I’ve always dreamed about putting Mexico back on the PGA Tour,” Raul Pereda said following his third round. “I’m 18 holes away from being able to do that.”
In addition to his comfort and familiarity with the course, Pereda had his support system cheering him on. His mother and brother were in attendance while his father was cheering him on from a local hospital where he was battling kidney stones. Pereda’s visit to see his father in the hospital helped keep his mind off what was at stake in the midst of a weather delay that pushed the final round to Monday.
Despite a rocky start in the final round that consisted of being 1-over through nine holes, Pereda was able to refocus and find his momentum. He partially credits his ability to move past his morning performance to his experience playing in the Mexico Open earlier this year.
“When I played the PGA Tour event in Mexico, I felt so comfortable out there that this is what I’ve been working all my life for, and we are there,” said Pereda.
Three birdies on the back nine – highlighted by two chip-ins – brought Pereda to a 1-under finish for the day and 8-under for the weekend to finish T-4 and earn his first PGA Tour Card.
“I really knew the course like the palm of my hand. It really helped me put myself in position all day today,” said Pereda. “The putts didn’t drop like the last couple days, but the chips did…My brother was here, my mom was here, and this is for them, and this is for my entire country supporting me.”
Pereda competed in three Latin America Amateur Championships from 2016-18. His best finish was T-6 at Club de Golf de Panama in 2017.
