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SOUTHPORT, England: Red-hot Kenny Perry’s decision to snub the
British Open was met with astonishment here on Monday as Royal
Birkdale geared up for Thursday’s tee-off in the world’s oldest
and most prestigious tournament.
The 47-year-old American won his third title in
his past five starts when he captured the $4.2-million John Deere
Classic in a play-off in Illinois on Sunday.
Normally, he would have jumped on a plane for
Britain to join the rest of the top American players at The Open,
but Perry had already made it clear that he had other intentions.
Instead, he said he had commitments to play in a
US PGA tournament in Milwaukee to further his ambitions of playing
in the Ryder Cup in his home state of Kentucky in September.
Countryman Jim Furyk, who will likely be a
teammate of Perry in the US team for Valhalla, said he could not
understand Perry’s decision.
“To the best of my knowledge you can’t win
if you never play.” he said. “You can’t win on the couch.
“From a personal standpoint I’d have a very
difficult time staying home when I had the opportunity to play in a
major championship.
“He also made a decision not to play in the US
Open and you would think that Torrey Pines would be right down his
alley.
“But he says he never plays well there,
doesn’t like the course and decided not to.”
Perry, who has played only four Opens since his
debut 17 years ago, has said he has no regrets over his no-show
decision.
“I played Birkdale in ’91, missed the cut
there. My stroke average at the British Open is 76 point
whatever,” the world No. 16 said.
“I’m not good when it gets to 40 and 50
degrees [Fahrenheit] and 50 mile an hour winds. I’m a hot weather
guy.”
-- AFP
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