Ken's eye opener

Sep 7 2008 By Euan Mclean

THEY slammed his lack of ambition and questioned his bottle for big-time events - but defiant Kenny Perry insists the stick he copped for snubbing The Open this year was a COMPLIMENT.

No-one batted an eyelid whether he was at the Majors or not for two long decades as he slugged away on tour.

So the outrage at his decision to pass up a place at Birkdale in favour of a regular PGA tour event in Milwaukee makes him laugh.

Perry didn't even attempt to qualify for theUS Open at Torrey Pines either - despite being THE form player in world golf.

Many have questioned his stomach for big events but Perry is preparing a special response two weeks from now in Kentucky.

The 48-year-old insists nothing is bigger than playing in the Ryder Cup in his home state on a course haunted by the demons of the worst day of his career.

Making the US team for Valhalla has been Perry's allconsuming ambition ever since qualifying began last year.

His priorities were tailored to give him the best chance of achieving that dream.

No matter how prestigious the event, nothing was going to make him change his masterplan.

And he reckons it's a bit rich to suggest he's not cut out for the big time. He said: "I thought the criticism I took was a compliment.

"For 22 years nobody cared where I played. Why has that changed all of a sudden?

"Each year you set targets and for me the biggest was the Ryder Cup in my home state.

"I was criticised for not coming to Britain for the Open but I didn't play in theUS Open either.

"I'd won the Memorial on Sunday and the next day I was supposed to play a 36-hole qualifier, I mean can you imagine? After winning a big event like that? Not at my age."

Perry reckons his plan to pick and choose his events to give him the best chance has paid off.

He said: "I'm 48 years old. I've played these last few years onmy terms, not the writers' terms.

"Watching the wind and rain battering The Open while I was playing in 85-degree sunshine didn't prove my decision right because you can't win the Claret Jug in Milwaukee.

"Majors are the tournaments players are remembered for. You won't go down in history for winning in Milwaukee.

"But I'd committed to that event in January when I was 100-and-something in the world.

"I set my schedule towards courses where I've had a lot of success and would give me the best chance of earningmy spot on the Ryder Cup team.

"This will be the highest point of my career. Major or no Major.

"I will be remembered forever in Kentucky if I can help America win a Ryder Cup in my home state. I'll be a hero. It's just going to be a big celebration and I am looking forward to it so much. I just can't believe it is happening."

Perry will be joined in Paul Azinger's team by another Kentucky home boy, wild card pick JB Holmes.

Itwill be no surprise to see them paired together on day one to whip up the partisan locals.

While Holmes will be driven on by the same urge to excel in his back yard, Perry has special motivation to do well at Valhalla this month.

At the 1996 US PGA, Perry needed just a par on the 72nd hole to close out his first Major.

But glory slipped away when a wayward tee shot condemned him to a bogey, followed by defeat in the play-off with Mark Brooks.

Even now the memory stings and Kenny admits he's on a mission to kill a few demons.

He said: "It's not a case of going back to Valhalla for redemption as I'll take that loss in the PGA with me for the rest of my life.

"I couldn't par that hole and it's something I'll always regret.

"If Iwas as mature then as I am now I would have won but I was young. Inexperience showed.

"I would give anything to re-hit that tee shot on the 72nd hole.

"I can't bring it back but this time I can make some happier memories of Valhalla.

"We want to win the cup back for America."