Golf-Open-Perry's major appetite whetted by Masters meltdown

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

FARMINGDALE, New York, June 15 (Reuters) - Kenny Perry said he had learned from his collapse at the U.S. Masters two months ago and is hungrier than ever to win a maiden major title.

The PGA Tour veteran led the Masters by two shots with two holes to play before bogeys at 17 and 18 dropped him into a playoff with fellow American Chad Campbell and Argentina's Angel Cabrera.

Perry's bid to become the oldest player to win a major ended when he hit a poor approach shot on the second extra hole, his bogey being trumped by Cabrera's par for victory.

"I know I can do it," the 48-year-old Perry told reporters at a rain-softened Bethpage State Park on Monday while preparing for this week's U.S. Open, the second major of the season.

"It's just I've got to rethink it a little bit when I'm coming down the last couple of holes and not get ahead of myself. But I look forward to the challenge."

Although he struggled to hold his emotions back through reddened eyes after his Masters meltdown, Perry said the experience had been a positive one overall.

"I enjoyed it," the 13-times PGA Tour winner said. "It was a good ride. I look forward to the opportunity to try to get in there again. It made me hungrier, basically.

PLAYOFF LOSS