Perry skipping title defense to be with ailing mother

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Kenny Perry will not be defending his title at the Buick Open next week in Michigan so that he can stay near his cancer-stricken mother.

Perry's mother, Mildred, is under hospice care as she battles blood cancer.

He said on Tuesday he considered pulling out of the British Open last week until doctors assured him that his mother would be OK while he was in Scotland.

"Obviously I regret not being able to defend my title at the Buick," said Perry. "It's a great tournament, and I love the course, but I need to be with my family right now. We have some tough decisions to make over the next few weeks."