Perez injures ankle, could be sidelined for extended period

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Pat Perez had planned to play in this week's HP Byron Nelson Championship, until he injured his right ankle last week while running with his dog. As a result, the winner of the 50th Bob Hope Classic hosted by Arnold Palmer could be out for an extended period of time, according to his caddie, Mike Hartford.

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Pat Perez tied for 68th in his last start -- THE PLAYERS Championship.

"He doesn't complain real easily, but he said he thought he broke it at first," Hartford said. "He may have torn a tendon.

"I know he's aiming to play at Colonial, but it's doubtful he'll be able to."

Of perhaps more concern to Perez is missing the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black and the British Open at Turnberry -- neither of which he is qualified for at the moment.

The U.S. qualifier for the British Open is being held next week at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, Texas. Perez will miss that and could still be sidelined by the time the U.S. Open qualifier rolls around the week after the Memorial Tournament in early June.

Perez is currently seeking multiple opinions on the ankle, which he's simply resting and icing until figuring out what, if any, further treatment options are needed.

"If he tries to rush it back, it's not going to be good," Hartford said.

In addition to his win in Palm Springs earlier this year -- his first career victory on the PGA TOUR -- Perez has two other top-20 finishes this season with a tie for 17th at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship and a tie for fourth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard.

Perez is also currently 14th in the latest FedExCup standings.