Perry continues great year at Buick Open
IN: News | US PGA | Buick Open (2008) | Round Four | by Bruce Young | 30 Jun 2008
Kenny Perry made it win number two in 2008 and win number 11 in his PGA Tour career when he held on to win the Buick Open in Grand Blanc, Michigan by one over Woody Austin and Bubba Watson.
Bogeys at the final two holes by Woody Austin made things easier for Perry but nobody can deny the outstanding form Perry has found for much of 2008 – seemingly in contention in every event in recent weeks.
Perry’s decision to not even attempt qualifying for the US Open was roundly criticized by many but he has had the last laugh with this victory ensuring he will be on the Ryder Cup team in his home state of Kentucky later this year.
Perhaps the most significant shot of the day for Perry was a holed bunker shot for eagle at the driveable par four 14th after finding the greenside bunker with his tee shot. That eagle cancelled bogeys on either side of the 14th and when he birdied the 16th Perry had moved to 19 under and shared the lead with Austin.
Austin moved one ahead when he too birdied the par five 16th but consecutive bogeys cost him a chance of repeating his 1995 win in this event and bettering his runner up finish last year.
Bubba Watson, looking for his first victory on either the PGA or Nationwide Tours, gave himself a chance with a brilliant second from the left hand trees at the last but was unable to convert a 14 foot putt which would have forced the playoff with Perry.
Watson closed on the leaders after struggling to the turn and after his 4th birdie of the back nine at the 16th he needed one more to give himself a chance of victory. A wild tee shot at the last appeared to have cost him his opportunity but he hit the most delightful low running cut shot and left a very makeable putt. It was not to be however and he shared second with Austin.
Veteran Bob Tway produced the equal best round of the day of 65 to finish in a share of 4th with Ken Duke and Australian Matt Jones. It was the best finish by the 49-year-old Tway since his 3rd at the 2005 EDS Byron Nelson Championship and, just ten months away from his 50th birthday, augurs well for his Champions Tour aspirations.
For Jones, who is in his rookie season on the PGA Tour, it turns around some ordinary form of late after a great start to his PGA Tour career. The 28-year-old earns US$206,000 and takes his season earnings to US$685,000.
Brett Rumford was the next best of the Australians in 12th position, Rod Pampling was 17th after a fast start to his final round fizzled out, Stephen Leaney was 32nd, Peter Lonard 45th, Nick O’Hern and Mark Hensby 48th, Tim Wilkinson 59th and Mathew Goggin 63rd. Jason Day and Steve Allan both made the 36 hole cut but missed out for playing the final round due to the third round cut rule although both will earn cheques.
The PGA Tour heads to Bethesda in Maryland for the AT&T National event at the Congressional Country Club.
