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Perry pulls out in Michigan

Form horse forced to withdraw with eye injury

Last updated: 8th August 2008

Perry: Eye complaint

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Kenny Perry has been forced to withdraw from the USPGA Championship with an eye injury.

The 47-year-old American headed into the event as one of the hottest players in world golf having won three PGA Tour titles in his last eight starts.

However, having completed his first round at Oakland Hills, posting a nine-over-par 79, Perry revealed he had decided to pull out because of an eye complaint.

"I have had Lasik surgery and have been wearing Lasik lenses which have a hard centre and flatten out at the end,'' he explained. "I had got some infection in there and my doctor said that I needed to let my eyes rest by keeping the contacts out.

"He gave me cortisone and steroids which were very painful and it was annoying and difficult to be to trying to fight a tough golf course and have my eye aggravating me at the same time.

"I love the PGA Championship and I hate to not be continuing. But I have got to get ready for the Ryder Cup."

After his exploits this season Perry is a certainty to feature for the US team against Europe at Valhalla in his home state of Kentucky.

However, he was playing in his first major of the season at Oakland Hills having opted not to try to qualify for the US Open and turned down an invitation to play at last month's Open Championship.