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CRAIG PERKS

NEW ZEALAND

Height:

6 ft, 2 in

Weight:

200 lbs

Birthday:

01/06/1967

College:University of Southwestern Louisiana (1990, Behavioral Science)
Turned Pro:1993
Birthplace:Palmerston North, New Zealand
Residence:Lafayette, LA

PGA TOUR - Media Guide

PGA TOUR VICTORIES (1)
2002  THE PLAYERS Championship. 
Best PGA TOUR Finishes
1-- THE PLAYERS Championship.
Best Nationwide Tour Finishes
2-- NIKE Carolina Classic, NIKE Oregon Classic.
Career Highlights

2005: Best stretches were three consecutive made cuts in May and a season-best T13 in July at the Cialis Western Open. 2004: Earned his highest finish since his win at the 2002 PLAYERS Championship with a fourth-place performance at the Bank of America Colonial. Held the first-round lead after a 6-under 64, his first lead on TOUR since his victory.

Finished season on a strong note, making seven of his last eight cuts. 2003: Inconsistent season where he put together no more than a high of two consecutive cuts made and no top-10s.

Finished in the top 150 for the fourth consecutive season. 2002: Made more money by collecting his first victory at THE PLAYERS than he had in his previous two years on TOUR combined and his three top-10s matched his career total in that category.

Became the first player to win his first PGA TOUR event at THE PLAYERS, earning $1,080,000 and the final invitation to the 2002 Masters (three-year exemption). Joined Jack Nicklaus (1974) and Hal Sutton (1983) as only players to win THE PLAYERS in first attempt. After opening with 71-68-69, entered final round one stroke behind leader Carl Paulson. Even-par 72 on Sunday included one putt over the final three holes (chip-in for eagle on par-5 16th, 28-foot birdie putt on par-3 17th and chip-in for par on par-4 18th). His 72-hole 280 total was two strokes better than runner-up Stephen Ames. Entered the event ranked No. 203 in the Official World Golf Ranking, then moved to No. 64 with victory. 2001: Began second season on PGA TOUR in sophomore slump, making the cut in two of first 16 starts.

Made the most of one of those cuts with a then career-best T2 at The Honda Classic. 2000: Retained playing privileges with a T8 finish at the PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament.

Earned first PGA TOUR top-10 in 20th start of season, 21st of career, a T4 at Bell Canadian Open.

Played in one PGA TOUR of Australasia event and lost in a playoff to Michael Campbell at the Crown Lager New Zealand Open. 1999: Posted second runner-up finish on Nationwide Tour at the Oregon Classic. 1996: Lost one-hole playoff to Glen Hnatiuk at the Carolina Classic on the Nationwide Tour. 1995: Collected fourth career Hooters Tour victory at Natchez, MS. Amateur: All-America selection at Oklahoma (1986) and Southwest Louisiana (1990).
Personal

Named 2002 New Zealand Sportsman of the Year.

Was a two-time table tennis champion in New Zealand.

Left New Zealand at age 18 to come to the United States to play college golf, where he was an All-America at Oklahoma and Southwestern Louisiana (now Louisiana-Lafayette). Followed countryman and PGA TOUR member Grant Waite to Oklahoma.

Served as assistant pro for two years in early '90s at La Triomphe, home course of the Chitimacha Louisiana Open on the Nationwide Tour.

Nine-time PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament participant.
Nationwide TourPlayoff Record
0-1
Other Information
Did not make a start on the PGA TOUR in 2008 after announcing his retirement at the completion of the 2007 season. Played in 16 events between the PGA TOUR and the Nationwide Tour in 2007, missing the cut in all 16. Struggled all season in 2006, making just one cut along the way, but maintained eligibility for winning the 2002 PLAYERS Championship. In 2005, best play came with three consecutive made cuts in May and a season-best T13 in July at the Cialis Western Open. In 2004, earned his highest finish since his win at the 2002 PLAYERS Championship with a fourth-place performance at the Bank of America Colonial. Held the first-round lead after a 6-under 64, his first lead on TOUR since his victory. Finished season on a strong note, making seven of his last eight cuts. Finished in the top 150 for the fourth consecutive season in 2003. In 2002, became the first player to win his first PGA TOUR event at THE PLAYERS, earning $1,080,000 and the final invitation to the 2002 Masters (three-year exemption). Joined Jack Nicklaus (1974) and Hal Sutton (1983) as only players to win THE PLAYERS in first attempt. After opening with 71-68-69, entered final round one stroke behind leader Carl Paulson. Even-par 72 on Sunday included one putt over the final three holes (chip-in for eagle on par-5 16th, 28-foot birdie putt on par-3 17th and chip-in for par on par-4 18th). His 72-hole 280 total was two strokes better than runner-up Stephen Ames. Entered the event ranked No. 203 in the Official World Golf Ranking and moved to No. 64 with victory. In 2001, made two of his first 16 cuts, but had a T2 at The Honda Classic. Retained playing privileges with a T8 finish at the 2000 TOUR Qualifying Tournament. In 2000, earned his first career TOUR top-10, a T4 at the Bell Canadian Open. Lost the 2000 Crown Lager New Zealand Open in a playoff on the Australasian Tour. In 1999, posted his second runner-up finish on the Nationwide Tour at the Oregon Classic. In 1996, lost a one-hole playoff to Glen Hnatiuk at the Carolina Classic on the Nationwide Tour. In 1995, collected his fourth career Hooters Tour victory at Natchez, MS. All-America selection at Oklahoma (1986) and Southwest Louisiana (1990). Left New Zealand at age 18 to come to the United States to play college golf, where he was an All-America at Oklahoma and Southwestern Louisiana (now Louisiana-Lafayette). Followed countryman and PGA TOUR member Grant Waite to Oklahoma.
National Teams
World Cup (3), 2001, 2002, 2004.
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