Golf-Bitter Masters lesson helps Perry win at River Highlands

NEW YORK, June 28 (Reuters) - Kenny Perry proved he had learned a few lessons from his collapse at the U.S. Masters two months ago by easing to a three-shot victory at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut on Sunday.

The 48-year-old American kept his closest challengers at bay with a masterful display on the back nine at the TPC River Highlands, something he failed to do at Augusta National in the opening major of the season.

Perry 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.

His 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 learned a lot from that (Augusta), and I was determined to get back in that winner's circle again," the PGA Tour veteran told reporters.

"Everybody kind of asked about the Augusta hangover deal ... I guess I kind of shoved that aside a little bit, so this makes me feel pretty good."

Perry closed with a brilliant seven-under-par 63 on Sunday, making four birdies after the turn to dash the hopes of his nearest rivals and notch his 14th PGA Tour victory.

"I was right on the button," Perry said. "My swing was there and I was able to carry it to the house."

His second victory of the season, following his triumph at the Phoenix Open in February, lifted him into fourth place in the all-time standings for PGA Tour wins above the age of 40.