Craig William Perks (born 6 January 1967) is a professional golfer from New Zealand who won the 2002 Players Championship.
Early life and amateur career In 1967, Perks was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand. He was also raised in the town.
Perks attended university in the United States. He played college golf at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Professional career In 1993, Perks turned professional. He played on the second tier Nike Tour for several seasons. Perks became a member of the PGA Tour after a tie for 35th in the 1999 PGA Tour Qualifying School earned him his tour card for the 2000 season.
At the age of 35, in 2002, Perks unexpectedly won The Players Championship. In the final pairing, he played the final three holes in only nine shots, three under par, with only one putt. Perks chipped in for eagle, sank a birdie putt on the Island Green, then chipped in for par to win by two strokes. He was even par 72 for the final round, but only had two pars in the last fourteen Starting the year at 256 in the world rankings, Perks climbed from 203 to 64 with the win, and was named the New Zealand Sportsman of the Year for 2002. It granted a five-year exemption on tour, but was his only win in 202 starts.
After making only one cut on the PGA Tour during 2006 and 2007, he announced his retirement in November 2007, and became a commentator on the Golf Channel.
Awards and honors In 2002, Perks was named the New Zealand Sportsman of the Year
Professional wins (5) PGA Tour wins (1) Legend Players Championships (1) Other PGA Tour (0) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin ofvictoryRunner-up124 Mar 2002The Players Championship71-68-69-72=280−82 strokes Stephen Ames
Hooters Tour wins (4) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin ofvictoryRunner-up14 Jul 1993Croatan National Classic66-67-71-71=275−132 strokes Mike Brisky28 Aug 1993Collins Pro Classic73-68-67-71=279−91 stroke Jeff Barlow318 Sep 1994Boast Classic66-69-68=203−133 strokes Andy Morse430 Apr 1995Coca-Cola Classic64-65-69-62=260−242 strokes Dennis Zinkon
Playoff record PGA Tour of Australasia playoff record (0–1) No.YearTournamentOpponentResult12000Crown Lager New Zealand Open Michael CampbellLost to eagle on second extra hole
Nike Tour playoff record (0–1) No.YearTournamentOpponentResult11996Nike Carolina Classic Glen HnatiukLost to birdie on first extra hole
Results in major championships Tournament200220032004Masters TournamentCUTCUTCUTU.S. OpenCUTThe Open ChampionshipT50CUTCUTPGA ChampionshipT29
CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" = tied
The Players Championship Wins (1) YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunner-up 2002 The Players Championship 1 shot deficit −8 (71-68-69-72=280) 2 strokes Stephen Ames
Results timeline Tournament200220032004200520062007The Players Championship1T17CUTCUTCUTCUT
CUT = missed the halfway cut "T" indicates a tie for a place.
Results in World Golf Championships Tournament2002Match PlayChampionship61InvitationalT42
"T" = Tied
Team appearances World Cup (representing New Zealand): 2002, 2004
See also 1999 PGA Tour Qualifying School graduates 2000 PGA Tour Qualifying School graduates
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