Perks seizes first-round Colonial lead
DAY 1
Feat feels great after low point of missing the cut on a short putt at the Masters.
FORT WORTH, Texas — One month ago Louisiana Alum Craig Perks hit the "lowest of the low” in his career after making a double bogey from the middle of the fairway on his 36th hole at the Masters. He missed the cut by one stroke.
“I was just nearly lifeless,” Perks said. “I just had no energy. I had no passing, no nothing.”
The distraught Perks figured there was only one thing to do — call Butch Harmon, the sport’s Dr. Phil for the golf swing.
With just one five-hour session with Harmon and three of 13 made cuts this season, Perks never would have believed a six-under 64 was in the cards at Colonial Country Club. But thanks to pure iron play and a few, long-awaited good breaks, the New Zealand native owns a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Bank of America Colonial after making six birdies and no bogeys Thursday.
“As bad as I have been playing, I didn’t see 64 coming, but I work hard and you never know what’s going to happen,” said Perks, who has never recovered from overhauling his swing after winning the 2002 Players Championship.
Even though Perks said he hit just two of seven drivers good Thursday, he shot matching nines of 32 to edge Jesper Parnevik. Unlike in the past, every time it looked as if a bad swing was going to derail Perks on Thursday, he was able to recover.
After playing Colonial’s back nine first and recording three birdies, Perks added another on No. 3. Still at 4-under, Perks hit a hook off the tee on No. 6 — a dogleg right. However, the ball avoided the trees, ran through the thick rough and onto a path matted down by the galleries.
“I think that’s what happens when you play well,” said Perks, a former assistant pro at Le Triomphe in Broussard. “But that big hook drive, that’s been what I’ve been fighting for about year now.”
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