Third Time Another Charm for 3M Winner Kenny Perry
August 8, 2018
The 3M Championship dropped its curtain at the TPC Twin Cities on Sunday evening with a familiar face hoisting the trophy. Kenny Perry, who won the tournament in both 2014 and 2015, became the second three-time winner of the event, joining Hale Irwin, on the heels of a blistering, 12-under par 60 on Saturday afternoon.
Perry’s course-record-tying Saturday score took much of the drama out of Sunday’s round, where he fired a three-under 69, to cruise to a three-shot win over runner-up Wes Short Jr. Just a few days short of his 58th birthday, Perry became the oldest winner of the event, which was played for the 26th and final time, as the PGA Tour returns to the Twin Cities in July, 2019, with the 3M Open.
Perry vowed to return to Minnesota for the PGA Tour stop next year, using his one-time yearly exemption as a top-50 all-time money winner. Short Jr. had the best round on Sunday, making nine birdies on the way to a 63, but his nine-shot deficit entering the final round was too much to overcome. Minnesota native and crowd favorite Tom Lehman birdied the 18th hole Sunday to cap off three straight rounds in the 60s and finish in a tie for 10th place.
The win was the 10th for Perry on the PGA Tour Champions circuit to go along with his 14 wins on the PGA Tour. The $262,500 winner’s check moved Perry to 24th all-time on the senior circuit’s money list.
The final playing of the 3M Championship had many of the players feeling nostalgic for an event that was always a huge success.
“You had great galleries, great people, great part of the world, great golf course,” said Perry. “So when you come to a nice city and you have a great golf course, a great venue to play, everybody enjoys the golf course, everything adds up to become a fun week. We just love coming here.”
“I’m going to miss it,” said Kevin Sutherland, who posted his fourth consecutive top-five finish. “I know that they’re looking forward to the PGA guys coming in here and getting a whole new tournament with a new look to the course.”
EMC is incredibly proud to have played a part in the 3M Championship over the years as a title sponsor, hosting the draw parties and sponsoring the Pro-Ams on Wednesdays and Thursdays. We congratulate Kenny Perry on winning his third 3M Championship title. Thanks to everyone who volunteered their time and effort over the years and to all of the fans for coming out and making this tournament so special!
