Golf: Positives for Perks

Craig Perks went backwards when it mattered most, but still gained satisfaction from his failed defence of the Players Championship title yesterday.

The New Zealander carded a closing round of four-over-par 76, tumbling from his overnight share of third to finish in a tie for 17th, 12 shots behind winner Davis Love.

Perks began the final round alongside Love and Fred Couples, just two shots back from joint leaders Jay Haas and Padraig Harrington. But he buckled under the strain, with a triple bogey seven on the fourth hole virtually ending his challenge.

He still pocketed US$94,250 ($173,233), lifting him to 68th on the PGA Tour money list for the season with US$276,100 ($498,690).

Perks was annoyed about his finish but was generally content with how he went about defending his only PGA Tour crown.

"Overall I am pretty pleased with my week, but a little disappointed today," he said.

"It's been a great week to come back and defend my championship and I would have had a good chance today if I had played well.

"I knew today was going to be tough in the conditions, and it would be tough for everybody, but I just wanted to go out and put the hard work I had done under pressure and see what I could do."

Perks now heads home to Louisiana before preparing for the year's first major, the Masters at Augusta National next week.

- NZPA