Questions For Kenny Perry
Q: You played 30 holes last Saturday and 25 on Sunday because of the rain delays. Was it more of a physical or mental drain?
KP: It was physical for me. I'm 44 and definitely not a spring chicken anymore.
Q: Why are you playing your best golf in your 40s?
KP: I don't have any stress. I used to have mortgages and bills and kids who wanted me to come home. Now I have two kids in college and one who's a junior in high school, and they're doing great. We're all happy. The biggest difference in my play is that I'm having fun out here.
Q: Is this your first win while not wearing a hideous Tabasco shirt?
KP: Yes. When I signed my new contract with TaylorMade and Adidas, they wanted me to wear their shirts.
Q: Did your wife burn the Tabasco shirts?
KP: No [laughing], we gave them away.
Q: Vijay is back to No. 1 in the World Ranking. Do you really think he's better than Tiger Woods?
KP: Vijay has played better over the last two years. They're both fun to watch. They teach you that it's not about second place, it's about winning.
Q: Is it satisfying to beat the No. 1 player in the world?
KP: Vijay is a friend. I simply like competing against the best. My dad instilled a competitiveness in me. I like winning--in cards, dice, whatever. I beat my kids bad and laugh at them. My dad used to do that to me. He would kill me, and I would throw the cards across the room. He'd beat me in golf so bad and laugh. I would almost be crying, I'd be so mad at him. Maybe that made me mentally tough.
Q: You've won at Jack Nicklaus's tournament (Memorial), at a place where Ben Hogan ruled (Colonial) and now at Arnold Palmer's club. Can you top that trifecta?
KP: A green jacket would be nice. All of those tournaments give away jackets. I'm a jacket guy.
Q: How do you feel about the Players Championship?
KP: I tied for third there last year with my son, Justin, caddying for me. It was neat to play hard for him.
Q: How much did you pay him?
KP: Ten percent. He made $58,000. That's good for an 18-year-old.
Q: What are your plans for this year's Players Championship?
KP: I'm going to get some sleep, then drive up there.
Q: Are you going to drive one of your muscle cars?
KP: No. I'll take my Hummer. --Gary Van Sickle and ASAP Sports
Q: WHAT'S IT LIKE TO END A 20-MONTH VICTORY DROUGHT?
KP: IN '03, I THOUGHT, THIS MIGHT BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY CAREER. TO WIN NOW, IT PUMPS ME UP AND MAKES ME THINK I CAN DO THAT AGAIN.
KEY STAT
1ST
Kenny Perry's rank in total driving (distance plus accuracy) at Bay Hill.
COLOR PHOTO
DAVID WALBERG (PERRY)