Kenny Perry has revealed the full extent of his despair at losing The Masters play-off, enduring sleepless nights and even driving to the middle of nowhere at 5am to contemplate life.

Ten days ago the 48-year-old American was on the verge of becoming the oldest major winner as he was two-up with two to play.

But back-to-back bogeys meant a play-off against Angel Cabrera and Chad Campbell, which the Argentine won on the second hole.

Perry returns to action in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans tomorrow and admitted: “I haven't slept much. I told my manager that this morning the alarm went off and scared me — it's the first time I've actually got into some deep sleep.

“I've been kind of wrestling around, waking up each and every minute, reliving the last few holes.

“I didn't sleep at all the Monday night after The Masters.

“I got in my car about 5am and just drove for about three hours out to the countryside, just trying to be thankful for everything that's happened to me.”