Perry delight at Illinois win

Kenny Perry, the American star who has turned down a place in The Open this coming week, hailed his “best year ever” after taking his third win in seven weeks last night.

Having bogeyed the 476-yard last to fall into a play-off with compatriot Brad Adamonis and Jay Williamson, the 47-year-old Perry lifted the John Deere Classic title in Illinois after his two opponents both hit their second shots into water on the same hole.