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Perry Shows World How to Lose With Class

This one really had to hurt. After leading the Masters for 70 holes, two bogeys cost Kenny Perry the chance, at 48, to be the oldest golfer ever to win a green jacket. Those bogeys on 17 and 18 forced him into that now infamous three way playoff that he lost on the second playoff hole to Angel Cabrera, the Argentine now holder of perhaps the largest green jacket ever awarded. But Kenny Perry was also a winner yesterday. Perhaps in sports parlance, he blew the Masters, but in life, he showed us all how to lose with class and grace, something that will last in memory far longer than those bogeys will to all except Kenny himself. When was the last time you heard an athlete talk about himself like this:

"It just seems like when I get down to those deals, I can't seem to execute," Perry said. "Great players make it happen, and your average players don't. And so that's the way it is. I just didn't get the job done again, and I'll look back the rest of my life saying what could have been."

Perry went on to say: "I'm not going to feel sorry. If this is the worst thing that happens to me, I can live with it. I really can. Great players get it done, and Angel got it done. This is his second major he's won, and I've blown two, but that's the only two I've had chances of winning."

I doubt we will ever see an athlete come in second again with such grace and class. Congratulations to both Angel Carbrera and Kenny Perry for a well played tournament. Kenny, you did all of Kentucky proud.

Here's a post round interview with Golf Channel's Jim Grey:

Full post as published by Sports Biz on April 13, 2009 (boomark / email).