Golf-Perry seals River Highlands win with flawless 63 (Reuters)
June 28, 2009
* Perry holds off Toms and Goydos
* Hot putting display earns 14th PGA Tour title
* U.S. Open champion Glover signs off with a 65
(updates after Perry wins tournament, adds quote)
NEW YORK, June 28 (Reuters) – Kenny Perry held off latecharges by fellow Americans David Toms and Paul Goydos with asuperb putting display to win the Travelers Championship bythree shots in Cromwell, Connecticut on Sunday.
The 48-year-old, who began the final round a stroke off thepace, fired a flawless seven-under-par 63 at the rain-softenedTPC River Highlands to clinch his 14th PGA Tour title.
Perry, who needed only 25 putts, birdied four of the lastnine holes on a sun-drenched afternoon to set a tournamentrecord total of 22-under 258.
“It’s hard to talk right now,” an emotional Perry said in agreenside interview after parring the last and raising both armsin celebration before removing his cap.
Toms birdied two of the last four holes for a 65 to finishin a tie for second with 54-hole leader Goydos, who closed witha 67.
American Hunter Mahan, the 2007 champion, signed off with a64 to share fourth place at 17 under with compatriots Ben Curtis(65) and Ryan Moore (64).
A stroke behind the pacesetting Goydos overnight, Perry tookcontrol with three birdies in the first eight holes.
TWO-SHOT SWING
He benefited from a two-shot swing with his birdie at thepar-three eighth after playing partner Goydos bogeyed the holewhen three-putting from 28 feet.
Two ahead of the chasing pack at the turn, Perry tightenedhis grip with further birdies on 10 and 11 where he drainedputts from 16 and 28 feet.
He lipped out with a long-range birdie attempt at the 14thbefore sinking an 11-footer at the 15th to forge three strokesclear.
Although Toms cut the deficit to two with a birdie at thepar-three 16th, Perry responded at the par-four 17th, hitting aseven-iron approach to eight feet and nervelessly holing theputt.
Goydos covered the last four holes in four under aftereagling the 15th but was left to rue missed birdie putts frominside eight feet at the ninth and 17th.
American Lucas Glover, surprise winner of theweather-delayed U.S. Open on Monday, fired a second successive65 to tie for 11th at 14 under.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing byDave Thompson; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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