Open absentee Perry chalks up third win in seven weeks

Having bogeyed the 476-yard last to fall into a play-off with compatriot Brad Adamonis and Jay Williamson, the 47-year-old Perry, who has decided not to travel to Royal Birkdale because he had already given a commitment to play the US Tour in Milwaukee, lifted the John Deere Classic title in Illinois after his two opponents both hit their second shots into water on the same hole.

Life begins at 47: Perry celebrates victory in the play-off

Williamson, 287th in the world, had been seeking his first victory on the circuit in 311 starts, but his near-miss made him the 156th and final player to qualify for The Open by virtue of a better last round than Adamonis.

The win was Perry's third of the season, all of which have come in his last five events. His run started with a win at The Memorial and he also won his last start, the Buick Open.

"It's been a great run - I've never had a run like this," Perry said. "I guess that gives me three firsts, a second and a third - definitely by far my best year ever at 47. I guess 47 is now the new 30."

The top three finished at 16-under 268. Perry could have wrapped up the victory without going into a play-off, but he bogeyed the 18th after needing three shots from 30 feet from the hole.

"I tried to hit a little eight iron over in there and ended up in a play-off," Perry said. "It went into that short fringe and the green was growing into me and the ball was sitting down.

"I just kind of bladed it a little too much, but I made a nice bogey putt to keep me in the tournament."

The bogey opened the door for Adamonis, who had a 15-foot birdie putt on 18 for the win, but he left it short and then hit his drive to start the play-off into the trees down the right side of the fairway.

Williamson was in the middle of the fairway but pulled his approach into the water and Perry took two putts from 25 feet to wrap up the win.

Perry started the day in a tie for the lead with Adamonis and Eric Axley, who came up short on a 26-foot birdie putt at 18 that would have put him in the play-off.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on his first PGA Tour victory, Williamson can at least take heart in the fact that he earned a trip to The Open with his performance.

"I have never played the British and I don't think it has quite sunk in yet," Williamson said. "I am still blinded by the play-off.

 "To go play the British Open, I mean, I never though it would happen to me. Obviously I am really looking forward to it."