| Detroit Free Press GRAND BLANC, Mich. -- Kenny Perry is not Tiger Woods. And SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS that's not altogether a bad thing.
Even after he won his second tournament of the month Sunday at the Buick Open -- with the help of a miraculous bunker shot -- and confirmed his position as the hottest golfer on the planet, Perry said nothing was changing. Not him. Not his schedule. Not his goals. In his down-home Kentucky drawl, Perry explained that even after he had held off Bubba Watson and Woody Austin by one stroke to win his second Buick Open in seven years, he would not play in the British Open. The reason? He had given his word. He had already promised to play in the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, which is scheduled the same week as the British. "That just wouldn't look good, in my opinion, to be committed and then just stone them to go play in the British Open", said Perry, who shot six-under-par 66 and finished at 19-under 269 to earn $900,000. "That ain't right. I'm not going to do that. If the Buick Open was that week, and I did it to the Buick Open, I'm sure they would feel slighted or whatever. "I'm going to stand my word. I committed to them the first of the year, and that's where I'm going." Perry's decision was hardly a surprise. He could cash in on all kinds of international exposure in two weeks at Royal Birkdale. Most people would understand. But it wouldn't fit Perry's character. After all, the guy drove his own car six hours from Kentucky to attend a news conference as the Buick Open's defending champion in 2002. Next year, Perry said he will probably foot the bill for an airline ticket. Though he didn't need it Sunday. He was ebullient in his post-round news conference after he virtually locked up his Ryder Cup spot. "I still can't believe I won", he said. "I feel like I need to go make a birdie out there to go win this tournament." That would be understandable. Perry made his final birdie on the 16th hole of Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club and came within inches of a birdie on the 18th hole. But Perry cashed in on a solid start that produced four birdies and a 32 on the front nine. On the back nine, he stumbled with bogeys on the 13th and 15th holes. But he made for his missteps with a birdie on the 10th and an incredible eagle on the 14th hole. Perry drove his shot on the short par-four into a greenside bunker. With 30 yards left to the hole, he hit a tough pitch from the sand that he expected to put within 10 feet but instead turned out much better. "I wasn't trying to make it", Perry said. "I was just trying to get it up there to have a realistic birdie chance at it. And when I hit it, it took two hops and jumped right in the hole and really energized me and gave me a shot in the arm knowing that, you know what, we can win this golf tournament now." The feeling was mutual around the course. Austin, who shot 68, had the tournament sewn up when he birdied the 16th hole to get to 20 under. It was his fourth birdie in six holes. But he bogeyed his final two holes by three-putting the 17th and hitting a poor chip on the 18th. Watson, who played in the final group, had the last shot to force a playoff. Watson, who shot 68, needed a birdie when he stood on the 18th tee. For the second straight day, he sliced his drive into the trees on the left. He needed a miracle shot and got one when he hit a low-running six-iron from 140 yards that stopped 12 feet from the hole. Watson knew the putt didn't have a chance the second he hit it. As Perry discussed his victory, his wife, Sandy, matched him smile for smile from the back of the interview room. Perry's dreams seemed to be coming to fruition. His goals were being met. And he was keeping his word. "I told Sandy, 'This might be the worst thing I've ever wished for",' Perry said. "I may play poorly and get drilled, I don't know. But I hope I continue to play well. I've got a lot of confidence, and I love my game the way I'm playing right now. "And you know what? With Tiger out, you know, it's just a great opportunity for an old guy here to actually steal some money in that FedEx Cup. So that's what we're after now."
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