Rose stunned by Perry no-show

Justin Rose today spoke of his astonishment that golf’s hottest player at the moment is not at the Open Championship this week.

Injury keeps world number one Tiger Woods and England’s Luke Donald away from Royal Birkdale, but it was world number 16 Kenny Perry to whom Rose referred.

And the only thing keeping him from Southport and the chance – unquestionably the best of his life given his own form and Woods’ absence – is that he wants to play in Milwaukee instead.

“He’s arguably the best player in the world right now and I find it amazing he’s not here,” commented Rose, who just three years ago was prepared to travel to two majors as a reserve and did not get into the field either time.

Perry lifted his third title in seven weeks at the John Deere Classic in Illinois on Sunday night, but had decided before that he would not be taking up his exempt spot. This just a month after he chose not to try to qualify for the US Open.

“His priority was obviously the Ryder Cup, but that’s clearly signed, sealed and delivered, so this is a trip that wouldn’t hurt his prospects,” added Rose.

“So it’s strange. I couldn’t imagine opting out of majors – it’s what I want to judge myself on by the end of my career.

“Kenny is 47 years old and has different goals and who knows what makes him tick. He’s maybe found a formula right now that he doesn’t want to mess with. He feels that his best way of keeping things going.”

Perry, who has played only four Opens since his debut 17 years ago, declared himself content with his decision.

“I played Birkdale in ’91, missed the cut there. My stroke average at the British Open is 76 point whatever,” he said, not mentioning the fact he was eighth at Sandwich in 2003 and 16th and 11th the following two years.

“I’m not good when it gets 40 and 50 degrees (Fahrenheit) and 50 mile an hour winds. I’m a hot weather guy.”

American Jim Furyk, joint fourth with Rose the last time the Open was at Birkdale 10 years ago, also had things to say about Perry.

“To the best of my knowledge you can’t win if you don’t play,” said the former US Open champion. “From a personal stance I would find it very difficult to stay at home when I had the opportunity to play in a major championship.

“I have missed a bunch of cuts here and was down on myself coming to the Open Championship, but you can’t win on the couch.

“That being said, that decision is not for me to make and I’m not criticising him. Kenny has got three wins under his belt and the beauty of our game is you are your own boss and you can pick and choose.

“He hits a real high ball and he probably doesn’t love playing links golf from that shot, but he is hot and the way he is playing right now I think he could play anywhere in the world.”

The no-show by Perry is, of course, unlikely to have any effect on crowds this week. But, judging by pre-ticket sales, Woods’ non-presence is not going to reduce the galleries either.

Championship secretary David Hill said that advance sales were up around 15% on the 1998 Open. “There might be some sports fans who won’t be coming now because of Tiger, but golf fans will, I think, always come to The Open,” he said.

For the players, of course, it has to mean a better opportunity to grab the Claret Jug.

Rose said: “It’s a shame that he’s not here, but it is an event that should be able to stand alone. It’s obviously one less guy to beat because you could pretty much guarantee he was going to be on the leaderboard on Sunday.

“I think for the next few months people will remember he wasn’t here, but when I’m old and grey and some other young kid is winning the tournament and sees my name or whoever’s name in 2008 on the trophy they are not going to say Tiger Woods didn’t play that year.”

Furyk described anyone approaching The Open with the thought that “Tiger’s not here, my chances are better” as having “a chicken attitude.

“In reality that’s probably true, but I’d have a tough time looking at myself in the mirror if that’s the way I was thinking.”

Five-time champion Tom Watson, who will partner Rose in the first two rounds, certainly does not believe that this year’s champion needs a permanent asterisk against his name to denote that he did not have to compete against Woods.

“That’s a foolish thought,” said the 58-year-old.