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Seasoned Veteran Joins Ryder Cup Hunt |
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Written by Bryan Spitzer
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Monday, 02 June 2008 |
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Kenny Perry has joined the rarefied air of Tiger Woods, capturing his third victory at the Memorial ('91, '01, '08). Perry, on a Sunday where all other front runners faltered and flourished in small doses, Kenny Perry plodded along to a final round 69, a full two shots better than the other top ten finishing averages of Weir, Kelly, Rose, Donald, Ogilvy and others.
With this victory Perry jumps 14 spots in FedEx Cup points, 8th on the career money list pushing past Justin Leonard and one very large leap toward his two year goal of earning a spot on the 2008 US Ryder Cup team, when the matches are held at Valhalla in Kenny's home state of Kentucky later this fall. Perry has stated over and again that his Ryder Cup goal has been the driver behind his resurging play at 48 years of age.
Through the Memorial, the US Ryder Cup Team shakes out as follows: Tiger, Phil, Cink, Furyk, Weekley, Kim, Johnson, Stricker (moving the wrong way as he has struggled to make cuts missing the weekend in five of the last six events), Leonard, Holmes, Quinney, Snedeker, and now Perry. Who before Sunday sat in 17th position and even if he doesn't make the team mathematically, Captain Azinger will be very tempted to select him as one of his four (4) coveted captain's picks.
Kenny Perry up to this point has been playing well and despite being know as a streaky player has put toegther a nice long streak on consistancy for sime time now. Having been around the leaderboard nearly every week, It was only a matter of time for him to breakthrough as he has finished inside the top fifty every week since mid February (Northern Trust Open) and 5 top twenty-fives during that same run. Perry, in his NBC post round interview makes no allusions about his age or goals, he did not play at the Masters and will not play at the US Open as he relaizes with his age and skill set he can simply not compete. He had no interest in qualifying for the Open through a rigerous 36 hole process and even still with the exemption given him from the win at The Memorial, he says he' s never played well at Torrey and feels that an apperance at the US Open may derial his run. As such, Perry has tailored his schedule this year to playing at venues and in tournaments he feels he has the opportunity to win and if not play well enough to earn points toward his Ryder Cup goal. Where some might say he is nuts to skip the US open as it is arguably the greatest test of one's game, I like Perrys decision, he has a clear goal in mind and a definate gameplan to reach said goal. He is staying in the zone and his run thus far is to be commended.
Kenny Perry has all facets of his game in good form, driving the ball as beautifully as he ever has ranking inside the top twenty in driving, scoring, birdies and greens and putting nearly a full stroke under average for the season. As for a prediction i believe Perry will make the team mathematically and add a bunch of local, veteran knowledge for the US team at Valhalla.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 20 June 2008 )
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