Would You Pee in a Cup for a Shot at Millions?

by Ryan Ballengee on Sep 29, 2008 5:34 PM EDT

That's the challenge that faced Kenny Perry at the Tour Championship in Atlanta. Jeff Rude explains:

Perry shot 76-75 the first two days and wasn’t happy he had to submit to a random drug test for the second time since the program’s inception in July.

“This has ruined the greatest week of my life coming here,” said Perry, adding he’d rather be home celebrating his Ryder success. “It really has.”

Shut up, Kenny. Peeing in a cup is nothing compared to an opportunity to play for a part of $25 million in bonus money, $7 million at the Tour Championship, and endorsement values. People pay in a cup in order to work at McDonald's. And given what just happened today in Congress, you may have to consider working there since 1/3 PGA Tour events are sponsored in some fashion by a financial company.

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interesting

That second line has been used in a number of different stories and reports – but NONE of them mentioned anything about Perry being unhappy because of a random drug test.

Perry is a professional and hasn’t said a word in protest of the drug testing policy – somehow I doubt that this would ruin his week. He has a very sore shoulder and he would have prefered to be at home. He COULD have stayed home instead of coming – but he came because he was a part of the winning Ryder Cup team.

We’ve already seen Steve Elling “expanding” the truth to make a story – I wonder if Rude did the same thing.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Sep 29, 2008 6:31 PM EDT reply actions

If it was that bad

he could have just stayed home. I don’t know how many people would have been PO’d that he didn’t come – particularly with his shoulder.

And you are right, this is weird for Kenny RE: drug testing. Then again, he didn’t want to play 36 holes to qualify for the US Open when he was the hottest player on the planet.

by Ryan Ballengee on Sep 29, 2008 8:10 PM EDT reply actions

The same thought went through my head...

…about the US Open – but it also occurred to me that being a part of a team is a lot different than playing only for yourself. Perry is no spring chicken and he chose to conserve his energy to pursue a personal goal. He isn’t under any obligation to play in any particular tournament if he doesn’t want to play it. That’s just a fact of life on the PGA Tour.

Perry wanted to be a part of a team – a team that won – and 10 of the 12 were eligible for Atlanta. My guess is that the team stuck together even after the Ryder Cup. It’s a shame that Perry put that comment out – and I’d bet that he regrets saying it. We all say dumb things when we’re tired and sore.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Sep 29, 2008 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions