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Questions For Kenny Perry
SI: Before the tournament a doctor told you that your eyesight wasn't good enough to pass a driver's test. Could you break par at Colonial with your eyes closed?
KP: Well, I'm not that good with my eyes closed. I've tried it before.
SI: How do you win by seven strokes without making a putt longer than 20 feet?
KP: I kept hitting it close and making the little putts. I didn't need to make any big ones.
SI: So it was more about ball striking than putting?
KP: My swing was so locked in this week. I was nervous last night and this morning, but after I made birdie on the 1st hole [on Sunday] with a great swing, I was ready to go.
SI: Your win here in 2003 will forever be known as Annika's Colonial. Are you happy to have this one to yourself?
KP: That stuff really doesn't matter to me. It was Annika's week the first time. It was my week this time. Now we're even.
SI: The temperature was in the high 90s every day and reached 100 in the final round. Hot enough for you?
KP: It was really tough out there, but I stayed in the shade as much as possible and drank amino acids mixed in my water, which really helped. I felt crummy on Friday but better on Saturday and really good today. I'm 44-no spring chicken.
SI: There's plenty of water at Colonial. Did you ever think about jumping in?
KP: They were spraying the greens with that water, and it smelled really nasty. There was no way I was going near that stuff.
SI: You had a seven-shot lead. Did you think about Sergio García's six-shot collapse three weeks ago?
KP: I didn't dwell on [players who've lost big leads], but I thought about some of those other guys. You worry people will call you a choker if you lose a big lead, but this was my week.
SI: Why do you play well at Colonial?
KP: When I stand on the tee here I feel comfortable and relaxed. It's hard to play against a guy who knows a course as well as I know this one. It will always be Hogan's Alley, but I hope they can put a little corner on the Wall of Champions that says Perry's Place.
SI: You've collected two plaid jackets now. How many more wins before you get matching pants?
KP: Maybe that's what I can come back for next year. -Art Stricklin
SI: A DOUBLE BOGEY AT 17 KEPT YOU FROM BREAKING COLONIAL'S SCORING RECORD. IS THAT A DOWNER?
KP: THE GUYS KEPT TELLING ME TO SHOOT 21 UNDER, BUT I TIED MY OWN RECORD [19 UNDER], AND THAT WAS ENOUGH FOR ME.
KEY STAT
42  Total strokes under par by Kenny Perry in his last 12 rounds at Colonial.
COLOR PHOTO
SCOTT HALLERAN/GETTY IMAGES (PERRY)
Perry also won the Annika Colonial in '03.
