Kenny Perry Takes 5-Shot Lead into Final Round of 3M Championship

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Kenny Perry
Kenny Perry hits a shot on the 18th hole during day one of the 2018 Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship at Exmoor CC in Highland Park, Ill. Credit: Stan Badz/PGA TOUR via Getty Images

Kenny Perry fired a record-tying 60 in the second round of the 3M Championship and will take a commanding five-shot lead into Sunday’s finale at TPC Twin Cities.

Kenny Perry
Kenny Perry hits a shot on the 18th hole during day one of the 2018 Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship at Exmoor CC in Highland Park, Ill. Credit: Stan Badz/PGA TOUR via Getty Images

Perry, the two-time 3M champion, finished his record-tying day in Blaine, Minnesota with eight birdies and a pair of eagles, highlighted by one on the final hole to reach a two-day score of 18-under par.

“I just feel very comfortable on this golf course. It would be one I would never miss. I hate to see it go away. I mean, it’s taking my annuity away, it’s a shame,” joked Perry, referring to the 3M moving to the PGA Tour schedule next season.

“But I understand 3M. Minnesota will love the young guys coming in here and hopefully Tiger and Jordan and Rickie and all them, they’ll embrace the tournament and come show up and support it.”

The 60 tied Paul Goydos‘ score from the second round in 2016. It also broke the 36-hole record set at Twin Cities.

Glen Day carded a 65 and will play with Perry in the final group, but is five shots off the pace at 13-under par.

Overnight leader Jerry Smith was in a group of three more at 10-under par. The 54-year old shot a second-round 70. Lee Janzen (68) and Tom Gillis (67) were also in the T3 group.


TOP 10 LEADERS

POS-PLAYER-TO PAR
1. Kenny Perry -18 (-12)
2. Glen Day -13 (-7)
3. Tom Gillis -10 (-5)
3. Lee Janzen -10 (-4)
3. Jerry Smith -10 (-2)
6. Tim Petrovic -9 (-7)
6. Tom Lehman -9 (-6)
6. Jay Haas -9 (-4)
6. Wes Short Jr. -9 (-4)
10. Joe Durant -8 (-7)
10. Rocco Mediate -8 (-4)
10. Scott Parel -8 (-3)


ROUND-TWO HIGHLIGHTS


QUESTION FOR KENNY PERRY

Kenny, you just broke every record, I think, so how do you feel about that and what was the key to finishing strong on 18?

KENNY PERRY: Well, I was thinking on 18, if I holed it, I was going to shoot 59. That was my only thought. Hit the prettiest 5-iron I could ever hit, and when I heard everybody yell really loud, I knew it was close. So it didn’t go in, but was able to make the putt for eagle and tie Goydos. I think he shot 60 here last year.

Great way to finish, incredible round of golf. When I holed it on 6 today from 106 yards, I thought maybe it would be a special day because I hit a leaner on 7 for birdie and that got me to about 5 under at the start, I think.

And then, you know, it was just a — I really don’t know what to expect because this is I think my eighth tournament back from surgery. I had shoulder surgery November the 17th and I was out for six months. I’ve been very erratic this year coming back. I might have a good round, but then I’m liable to shoot a really high round. I haven’t had any consistency. So I really didn’t know what to expect today. I was very pleased with my 6 under yesterday.

It’s always great to come back to a place you’ve had a lot of success at and you really enjoy playing the golf course. So I was really blown away by the round today. That’s a confidence builder, tells me I still can do it, I’m not quite washed up yet. Looking forward to the challenge tomorrow. I’ve got to figure out somehow how to shoot another good round tomorrow or they’ll catch me. Just got to regroup, reload and go get them.

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