Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use New Zealand English Template:Infobox golfer Craig William Perks (born 6 January 1967) is a professional golfer from New Zealand who won the 2002 Players Championship.

Early life and amateur careerEdit

Born and raised in Palmerston North, New Zealand, Perks played college golf in the United States at the University of Oklahoma in Norman and the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Professional careerEdit

Perks turned professional in 1993 and played on the second tier Nike Tour for several seasons. He became a member of the PGA Tour after a tie for 35th in the 1999 Qualifying School earned him his tour card for the 2000 season.

At age 35 in 2002, Perks unexpectedly won The Players Championship, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the PGA Tour. In the final pairing, he played the final three holes in only nine shots, three under par, with only one putt. Perks chipped in for eagle, sank a Template:Convert birdie putt on the Island Green, then chipped in for par to win by two strokes. He was even par 72 for the final round, but only had two pars in the last fourteen Template:Nowrap Starting the year at 256 in the world rankings, Perks climbed from 203 to 64 with the win,<ref name=ampfch>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=owgr02wk12>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref> and was named the New Zealand Sportsman of the Year for 2002. It granted a five-year exemption on tour, but was his only win in 202 starts.

After making only one cut on the PGA Tour during 2006 and 2007, he announced his retirement in November 2007,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and became a commentator on the Golf Channel.

Professional wins (5)Edit

PGA Tour wins (1)Edit

Legend
Players Championships (1)
Other PGA Tour (0)
No. Date Tournament Winning score To par Margin of
victory
Runner-up
1 24 Mar 2002 The Players Championship 71-68-69-72=280 −8 2 strokes Template:Flagicon Stephen Ames

Hooters Tour wins (4)Edit

No. Date Tournament Winning score To par Margin of
victory
Runner-up
1 4 Jul 1993 Croatan National Classic 66-67-71-71=275 −13 2 strokes Template:Flagicon Mike Brisky
2 8 Aug 1993 Collins Pro Classic 73-68-67-71=279 −9 1 stroke Template:Flagicon Jeff Barlow
3 18 Sep 1994 Boast Classic 66-69-68=203* −13 3 strokes Template:Flagicon Andy Morse
4 30 Apr 1995 Coca-Cola Classic 64-65-69-62=260 −24 2 strokes Template:Flagicon Dennis Zinkon

*Note: The 1994 Boast Classic was shortened to 54 holes due to rain.

Playoff recordEdit

PGA Tour of Australasia playoff record (0–1)

No. Year Tournament Opponent Result
1 2000 Crown Lager New Zealand Open Template:Flagicon Michael Campbell Lost to eagle on second extra hole

Nike Tour playoff record (0–1)

No. Year Tournament Opponent Result
1 1996 Nike Carolina Classic Template:Flagicon Glen Hnatiuk Lost to birdie on first extra hole

Results in major championshipsEdit

Tournament 2002 2003 2004
Masters Tournament CUT CUT CUT
U.S. Open CUT
The Open Championship T50 CUT CUT
PGA Championship T29

Template:Legend CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied

The Players ChampionshipEdit

Wins (1)Edit

Year Championship 54 holes Winning score Margin Runner-up
2002 The Players Championship 1 shot deficit −8 (71-68-69-72=280) 2 strokes Template:Flagicon Stephen Ames

Results timelineEdit

Tournament 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
The Players Championship 1 T17 CUT CUT CUT CUT

Template:Legend CUT = missed the halfway cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place.

Results in World Golf ChampionshipsEdit

Tournament 2002
Match Play
Championship 61
Invitational T42

Template:Legend "T" = Tied

Team appearancesEdit

See alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

External linksEdit

Template:S-start Template:S-ach Template:S-bef Template:S-ttl Template:S-aft Template:S-end

Template:Players Championship champions