“That always happens on Tuesday,” golfer Kenny Perry exclaimed as he rolled in a 25 ft. downhill putt from the fringe of the 9th green.
The morning showers subsided on Tuesday and players could be heard joking and sharing family stories around the grounds of Valhalla. Friends and family played alongside the pros during their practice rounds and set the tone for what was a very fun and laid-back day. Make no mistake though; players will be all business come Thursday morning.
Defending champion Tom Lehman strolled confidently around the course during his Tuesday round. The Champion Tour’s money leader is coming off of a victory at the Regions Tradition major tournament and looks ready to contend this week. Lehman will be attempting to be the first since Hale Irwin to win consecutive Senior PGA Championship titles.
On a more local note - Louisville’s own Tom Schulz, Fuzzy Zoeller of Floyds Knobs, Paducah’s Russ Cochran and Kenny Perry of Franklin, KY will all be competing for the Alfred S. Bourne Trophy this week.
Kenny Perry has quite a bit of history with Valhalla. Perry watched the title of the ’96 PGA Championship disappear before his eyes when he took a ‘lost ball’ penalty during the first hole of a playoff with eventual winner, Mark Brooks. Twelve years later, Perry celebrated a monumental victory with the United States at the 2008 Ryder Cup.
"I will be trying like anything to win that golf tournament,” Perry said. “I want to win there. It's been like an emotional roller coaster at Valhalla for me, and this would just be the icing on the cake for my career.” -Kenny Perry
Being one of the youngest players and longest hitters competing this week certainly makes Kenny Perry one of the favorites to look out for, but weather conditions this week could easily open the Championship to anyone.
Check back for more big stories and developments coming from Valhalla Golf Club all week long.
Quote courtesy of http://www.courier-journal.com