T.J.'s Take: Perry wastes no time taking bull by horns

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Motivation is a funny thing.

And, motivation knows no age. Just ask Franklin, Ky., native Kenny Perry. The 47-year-old could have been disheartened last week when he read a quote in the paper from U.S. Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger.

T.J. Auclair

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Essentially, Azinger proclaimed that in order to be selected for his team if you didn't get in on points, you'd have to get a win. That's some heady stuff when you consider that only eight players will make the team on points this go around as opposed to 10 in years past. Azinger is determined to end the American Ryder Cup skid and figured that by having four picks instead of the traditional two, he could select the four hottest players with his captain's selections to ensure the best possible lineup and -- hopefully -- a favorable outcome for the first time since 1999.

The thing about Perry is he's basically a par-5 away from the Champions Tour.

So why would Azinger's words be disheartening? Glad you asked. The 2008 Ryder Cup will be played in Perry's home state at Valhalla Golf Club. He's never won a major, though the closest he came was when he lost in a PGA Championship playoff in 1996 -- at Valhalla of all places.

Therefore, a spot on the team would be the cherry on top of the cake of a successful career.

And Perry wasn't going to wait around to see whether -- for hometown hero purposes -- Azinger would pick him.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, it's important to note that the Ryder Cup is a little less than four months away. A lot can happen between now and then.

However, if a win is a prerequisite for captain Azinger, put a check next to Perry's name.

Rather than shrug his shoulders and think of the many opportunities squandered over the last month -- he was in the hunt on the final day of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship before a 79 on Sunday; entered the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship one shot off the lead before blowing up with an 81; and lost the AT&T Classic to Ryuji Imada when he sent an approach on the first playoff hole into the drink -- Perry stepped up and won the Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley on Sunday.

With the win, Perry joined Tiger Woods as the only three-time winner at Jack Nicklaus' place and shot up to the No. 5 spot in the Ryder Cup standings.

It wasn't easy either. Perry has been playing on the PGA TOUR full-time since 1987, and Sunday's win was just his second in come-from-behind fashion (he also came from behind to win the 1994 New England Classic). He started the final round trailing 54-hole leader Mathew Goggin by three shots.

So what did Perry do? He just threw a little 3-under-par 69 at the field and waited a few minutes to see whether anyone would catch him.

No one did. With that, it's clear that the words of captain Azinger served as motivation for Perry rather than a deterrent.

In the process, Perry went a long way toward securing his ultimate goal.