KENNY PERRY played “the best round of his life” for the “biggest tournament win of his life” in his come from behind victory at the 2013 US Senior Open.
Perry was 10 shots down after the second round but shot a final day 63 at the Omaha Country Club and won his second straight senior major by five strokes over Fred Funk.
He set two tournament records over the last 36 holes – for the 64-63 finish and for the size of deficit he overcame.
The 52-year-old started the final round two shots behind overnight leader Michael Allen, but was in front to stay after he birdied the second and third holes and Allen bogeyed the third.
Perry’s 63 matched Allen’s Friday score for best round of the tournament and was the best ever in a U.S. Senior Open final round. He finished at 13 under.
“It all came together. Why, after all these years?” Perry said. “Here I am, (almost) 53 years old, and it finally came together for me.”
On the regular tour, Perry was best known for collapses in the 2009 Masters and 1996 PGA Championship, but on the senior tour he now has two in a row after taking the Senior Players Championship at Fox Chapel two weeks ago.
“This is by far the biggest tournament I ever won,” Perry said. “I lost the playoff at the Master’s and the PGA playoff. I didn’t get the job done. Now to have a USGA title, it’s an Open, it’s our Open, it’s what the players play for.
“To finally get it, even though it’s a Senior Open, I still regard it as a very high honor.”
Funk (67) finished on 8-under while Rocco Mediate (66) and Corey Pavin (67) were tied third on 7-under.
After looking so in control at earlier in the event, Allen blew out with a 2-over 72 to finish alone in fourth place.
Elkington finishes tied for 6th
Steve Elkington shot a final round 65 to finish tied for 6th on 4-under while Peter Senior (68) was tied for 14th on 1-under.
Peter Fowler threatened at times but will rue his final round 76 and T35 4-over finish.
2013 US Senior Open Final Results