The PGA of America has awarded Kenny Perry a special exemption to this year's PGA Championship, which will be contested at Valhalla Golf Club in Perry's home state of Kentucky.
Perry has played in the last two PGA Championships contested at Valhalla, which also was the site of the 2008 Ryder Cup for which Perry helped the United States to victory.
Mark Brooks beat Perry in a playoff in 1996 and Perry tied for 30th at those PGA Championships. Perry earned 2 1/2 points at the Ryder Cup as the U.S. picked up a 16 1/2 - 11 1/2 win over Europe.
"The PGA is delighted to extend a special invitation to Kenny to compete once more at the PGA Championship in his home state. Kenny is an outstanding representative of the game and the PGA of America, and I'm sure he will experience another memorable week at Valhalla in August," said PGA of America president Ted Bishop.
Perry could have earned spot in the field had he won the Senior PGA Championship two weeks ago, but he ended 10 shots back and in a tie for 13th.
"To me, if I can get back there, it would be a great way to say bye to everybody. It's kind of my way to retire," Perry stated. "I've given 30 years of my life to the PGA Tour and it would be a great way to kind of end my chapter on the PGA Tour out there."
[SportsNetwork.com]
