Kenny Perry put the Augusta National collapse behind him and won in impressive fashion at the Travelers Championship. After a bogey-bogey finish to eventually lose the Masters in a playoff back in April, Perry put the field away last week, carding a sizzling 63 on Sunday to win for the second time this year.
This season in the first two majors, we have seen players get a bit defensive and play not to lose, rather than to win. Perry at Augusta was certainly painful to watch as he hit some unconventional shots down the stretch to watch the green jacket slip away. The story was similar at the U.S. Open as we watched Ricky Barnes big lead slip away during the final round before settling down over the last few holes.
Playing with the lead is certainly something some players handle better than others. Whether it is a one shot lead with one to play at Augusta or you are heading towards a career-best round with just two to play -- things begin to change for all of us. This week, there was no doubt that Perry was playing to win as he continued to hit great shots down the stretch on Sunday. With five wins over the last 14 months, I am beginning to think that 20 wins and a lifetime membership on the PGA TOUR is not out of the question.
