The Loop

At home in flyover country

August 08, 2009

AKRON, Ohio -- Kenny Perry's roots are planted firmly in middle America, which perhaps helps explain why he plays so well in flyover country.

A native of Franklin, Tenn., where he owns a golf course called Country Creek, Perry is a three-time winner of the Memorial, played downstate in Columbus. He also has won the Greater Milwaukee Open, the Buick Open near Flint, Mich., and the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill.

Perry again is comfortably ensconced near the top of a midwest leaderboard, recording a four-under par 66 Saturday in the third round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, to move into a tie for fifth.

"I had a goal of five-under I needed to shoot today to give me a shot," he said. "If I could shoot this again tomorrow I might win the golf tournament. That's probably one of the best rounds I've ever played out here."

Perry, who turns 49 on Monday, probably can't overcome the obstacles ahead of him, one of them a five-shot deficit, another Tiger Woods. Perry trails the leader, Padraig Harrington by five, and Woods by two. Nonetheless, it promises to be another high finish for Perry in the heartland.

-- John Strege