 With three wins on the 2008 PGA Tour and a Ryder Cup winner’s medal, Kenny Perry
is yet another pro who has proved that, with good planning, a repetitive technique and a
strong mind, there’s no such thing as ‘too old’ in golf.
Blessed with both power and accuracy, and the sort of putting skill he showed to great
effect at the Ryder Cup, the 48-year-old American has always had the ability to tear a
course to shreds. But what is even more impressive is Perry's amazing consistency. In 25
regular season PGA Tour starts this year, he made the cut 23 times, finishing in the top
25 twelve times. He has won three times, with only Tiger Woods (4) enjoying more titles
this year.
Perry went into 2008 with his sights set on playing in the Ryder Cup in his home state
of Kentucky and that meant making sacrifices. In Perry's case it meant not going to the
British Open or the U.S. Open, the leading all-time money-winner on the PGA Tour
without a major title deciding instead to play the courses he felt he had the best
chance to win on – even if it meant skipping majors.
He was criticised for his approach, but after playing a leading role in guiding
the United States to Ryder Cup redemption, Perry had proven his temperament and game
didn't need burnishing in the cauldron of major play.
"My stroke average at the British Open is 76-point whatever in probably six or
seven events," Perry said. "I'm not good when the temperature gets to
single figures with 80 kph winds. I like hot weather. I am a hot weather guy.
"I said this was going to define my career. It made my career. My putter was
magical. The fans here were awesome. It's a week I'll never forget for the rest of my
life," was what Perry had to say after competing a 2-1-1 Ryder Cup record, including
a clutch Sunday singles victory over matchplay specialist Henrik Stenson, shooting
seven-under through 16 holes.
But behind the success lay the hard work that characterises Perry's career. He went to
Valhalla for a couple of days the week prior to the Ryder Cup, making
detailed notes on the set-up of the golf course, the greens and course
management.
After turning pro in 1982, Perry was not quick to establish himself on the PGA Tour.
His first victory only came in 1991 at the Memorial Tournament, followed by triumphs in
the 1994 New England Classic, 1995 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and the
2001 Buick Open. But 2003 will be remembered as the year Perry established
himself as one of the top golfers in the world.
A second Memorial title sandwiched wins at the Bank of America Colonial and
the Greater Milwaukee Open, starting a 50-week run in the top 10 of the Official
World Golf Rankings.
Perry made a maiden visit to the Nedbank Golf Challenge in 2003 as a member of the
United States President's Cup team, for which he also produced a top-class showing, while
he returned to Sun City in 2005.
Perry should now be well known to the wider golfing community after his tremendous
year and he comes to Sun City as one of the older brigade. Experienced, at the top of his
game, at home in the heat of the bush and ready to cap his most successful season yet
with Africa's Major. | 
