Should Kenny Perry play in the Open Championship?

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

I think he should play. You really do have to question a guy who has no desire to play in two of the biggest championships of the year (US & British Open). At least he's honest about his intentions and isn't throwing us some BS reasons though. I do like the fact he wants to be on the Ryder Cup team so badly but he isn't the only one and I wish he had more of a desire to play against the best in the world. Also, let's not forget he didn't qualify for the US Open so he would have had to play 36 holes after he won the Memorial. Still, with guys like Fred Couples and Davis Love trying to qualify I see no reason why Kenny shouldn't have been out there too. The thing is he is playing as good as anyone in the world right now and the Open Championship seems so wide open without Tiger he actually may be one of the favorites . We're not talking about Woody Austin or Corey Pavin here. A legitimate chance to win his first major and he doesn't try? I don't understand that. Sure, he doesn't tend to play well overseas but he isn't always playing this well and from what I hear Birkdale isn't all that quirky. Honestly I don't think the dollars from Milwaukee should count towards the Ryder Cup, not that Kenny needs them at this point (even more of a reason to play in the Open). I do give Kenny props on an amazing year, with two wins, including the Memorial which has a great field but it does seem he is trying to target lesser events to maximize the points system. He's in the John Deere this week then Milwaukee next week... heck, he could win both of those.

[BASHERBAKER69]

I think he should play. You really do have to question a guy who has no desire to play in two of the biggest championships of the year (US & British Open). At least he's honest about his intentions and isn't throwing us some BS reasons though. I do like the fact he wants to be on the Ryder Cup team so badly but he isn't the only one and I wish he had more of a desire to play against the best in the world. Also, let's not forget he didn't qualify for the US Open so he would have had to play 36 holes after he won the Memorial. Still, with guys like Fred Couples and Davis Love trying to qualify I see no reason why Kenny shouldn't have been out there too. The thing is he is playing as good as anyone in the world right now and the Open Championship seems so wide open without Tiger he actually may be one of the

It seems like he is playing the points system for the Ryder Cup which is fair enough but I don't know that i like such mercenary tactics.

If he doesnt like the heat of a big tournament I don't know he'd enjoy the Ryder Cup. Frankly, Id rather have John Daly in the US team than Perry- would be more of a spectacle and imagine the apres golf parties.

[crazygolfguru]

I think his strategy is brilliant. This Ryder Cup is HIS major.

This is my point exactly. Kenny is playing

his strategy to get to his major. It's like hitting a 4 iron to the middle of the dogleg instead of trying to crank a driver and cut off the corner. Sure, he probably has the power and the game right now to take home the Claret Jug, but he is playing his strategy to get onto the Ryder Cup team. Frankly, I can't see why we wouldn't want a guy on the team who not only wants it so bad, but has executed a well-planned strategy to make it happen.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

Sure, he probably has the power and the game right now to take home the Claret Jug, but he is playing his strategy to get onto the Ryder Cup team.

If that's the case don't you think he should play? Heck, if the Ryder Cup is all he cares about then he can earn far more points with high finishes in majors than he can in lesser events. So all this tells me is he's content to take the easy points.

Frankly, I can't see why we wouldn't want a guy on the team who not only wants it so bad, but has executed a well-planned strategy to make it happen.

Make no mistake I want Kenny Perry on the team and he deserves to be there. I'd just like to see him compete against the best and maybe face some tougher conditions. I think as a golf fan you want to see the best at majors.

I'll give him credit for beating a great field at the Memorial but his well planned strategy seems to consist of ducking a lot of tougher events and targeting some weaker fields. We already know he can compete and beat middle of the road players. Problem is he won't be playing against those guys in September.

[crazygolfguru]

I guess I should admit defeat. I am now convinced that Kenny should go over and play in the Open Championship.

[RichF]

Irrelevant whether Perry plays in The Open and The Ryder Cup. He'd:
a) miss the cut at Royal Birkdale anyway, and
b) be part of a US team heading for yet another crushing.

[mikelz]

I want to see him play.
Like a lot of you, I don't think a "weak field" specialist is a Ryder Cupper.
(Is Kenny the new D.A. Weibring?)
Hell, if he finishes in the top 30 he's gained something.
If he doesn't have that kind of confidence...

[JaY_B]

I was under the impression that Kenny Penny was not playing in the Open because of a previous sponsor/tournament commitment.

Not going back on his word should be applauded in this case rather than criticized surely??

Or have I missed out on a large chunk of the story?

[alf174]

I was under the impression that Kenny Penny was not playing in the Open because of a previous sponsor/tournament commitment.

I heard the same thing; He is the '03 champ in Milwaukee so I assume he gets an automatic exemption.

[mikelz]

I was under the impression that Kenny Penny was not playing in the Open because of a previous sponsor/tournament commitment.

It appears I missed a large chunk of the story.

I take back everything I said but I would still rather see him play. http://tinyurl.com/5cwrqc

[ezmoney5150]

He's incredible. He's playing pretty good. Ride the high tide while you can. Pretty soon he'll be in obscurity on the Senior Tour.

[Craig Mac]

He's incredible. He's playing pretty good. Ride the high tide while you can. Pretty soon he'll be in obscurity on the Senior Tour.

Sure, if you consider making 1 million+ and winning a few times a year "obscurity"

. Doesn't sound too bad to me.

[RX Phoenix]

I applaud him for saying, 'thanks but no thanks'. The guy is on a roll here in the states and doesn't want to mess with his mojo. I really believe he is aiming at the Fed Ex Cup now that Tiger is out of the mix, it's wide open and he's now second in points. He is a made man already for the Ryder Cup so that's not the issue now, it's the Fed Ex.

The 'Open' experience would likely take him out of his comfort zone and maybe mess him up the rest of the year. I just think he's being real smart and trying to milk the US courses as best he can and stay hot. At his age he doesn't want to take any risks and who can blame him.

A $10mil payday at the end of the year is what he's got on his mind, not an appearance at the Open where he is likely to struggle.

[BASHERBAKER69]

If he wins in Milwaukee this week, that will be 3 consecutive wins with no gaps in the schedule- that has to be approaching a PGA tour record?..Didnt Vijay do something similar when he won the 'Order of Merit' on he PGA tour?

[extremeld]

I applaud him for saying, 'thanks but no thanks'. The guy is on a roll here in the states and doesn't want to mess with his mojo. I really believe he is aiming at the Fed Ex Cup now that Tiger is out of the mix, it's wide open and he's now second in points. He is a made man already for the Ryder Cup so that's not the issue now, it's the Fed Ex.

if he is good enough to win the fedex cup he is likely to be good enough to win the open - either way i reckon he makes $10million.

the fedex cup is not nearly as prestigous and event as the open, given the choice (if only) i would take the open or any lesser major for that matter and 1millions dollars rather than the fedex cup and a 10million dollar retirment fund. win the open you are a major winner for the rest of your days, win the fedex cup and you are a pro golfer with a retirement plan.

[geezer]

the fedex cup is not nearly as prestigous and event as the open, given the choice (if only) i would take the open or any lesser major for that matter and 1millions dollars rather than the fedex cup and a 10million dollar retirment fund. win the open you are a major winner for the rest of your days, win the fedex cup and you are a pro golfer with a retirement plan.

Agree.

Perry is obviously not interested with winning titles, and the honour that comes with winning a major. He's evidently only in this sport for the money.

[Wisco-Kid]

It appears I missed a large chunk of the story.

I agree with you mikelez. I still think he should be playing the Open but after reading the article you have posted his reasons for not playing make more sense now. Thanks for the post.

[MSDOGS1976]

I can see why some think it is an honorable thing to live up to his early season commitments, but he should be a little more flexible in his thinking. He has accomplished his Ryder Cup goal of making the team. He is hot and should take advantage of it by giving himself one of his better chances of winning a major. He admits:

"I'm a streaky player and when I get hot, I get hot," said Perry, who needed two years to regain his form after knee surgery in 2005."

He says he will play the majors next year, but he may not be hot next year. I just don't get it. I guess a major is not very improtant to him. Sad in my opinion.