Perry: Hot weather guy
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Justin Rose and Jim Furyk have both expressed their amazement that the in-form Kenny Perry will miss this week's Open Championship.
The 47-year-old world number 16 lifted his third title in seven weeks at the John Deere Classic in Illinois on Sunday night, but had decided before that he would not be taking up his exempt spot.
Perry has opted instead to play at the US Bank Championship in Milwaukee, thus missing out on a second visit to Royal Birkdale and a chance of victory surely increased by the absence of world number one Tiger Woods.
"He's arguably the best player in the world right now and I find it amazing he's not here," commented Rose, who just three years ago was prepared to travel to two majors as a reserve and did not get into the field either time.
Perry's decision comes just a month after he chose not to try to qualify for the US Open, with Rose adding: "His priority was obviously the Ryder Cup, but that's clearly signed, sealed and delivered, so this is a trip that wouldn't hurt his prospects.
"So it's strange. I couldn't imagine opting out of majors - it's what I want to judge myself on by the end of my career.
"Kenny is 47 years old and has different goals and who knows what makes him tick. He's maybe found a formula right now that he doesn't want to mess with. He feels that his best way of keeping things going."
Happy
Perry, who has played only four Opens since his debut 17 years ago, has nevertheless declared himself happy with his decision.
"I played Birkdale in '91, missed the cut there. My stroke average at the British Open is 76 point whatever," he said, neglecting to mentioning the fact he was eighth at Sandwich in 2003 and 16th and 11th the following two years.
"I'm not good when it gets 40 and 50 degrees (Fahrenheit) and 50 mile an hour winds. I'm a hot weather guy."
American Jim Furyk, who finished in joint fourth place with Rose the last time the Open was at Birkdale 10 years ago, speculated that Perry natural shape of shot might be a factor.
"To the best of my knowledge you can't win if you don't play," the former US Open champion said. "From a personal stance I would find it very difficult to stay at home when I had the opportunity to play in a major championship.
"I have missed a bunch of cuts here and was down on myself coming to the Open Championship, but you can't win on the couch.
"That being said, that decision is not for me to make and I'm not criticising him. Kenny has got three wins under his belt and the beauty of our game is you are your own boss and you can pick and choose.
"He hits a real high ball and he probably doesn't love playing links golf from that shot, but he is hot and the way he is playing right now I think he could play anywhere in the world."
