CARNOUSTIE, Scotland — Pat Perez has played 24 major championships and never had a sniff of victory.
That might change this weekend. Perez, after shooting a 3-under 68 in Friday’s second round at Carnoustie, is one shot out of the lead at the 147th British Open at 5-under, trailing Zach Johnson and Kevin Kisner.
Perez’s best finish in a major was a tie for sixth at the 2005 PGA Championship, but he was never truly in contention to win. His best finish at the four British Opens he has played was a tie for 20th in 2007 at Carnoustie. His best finish in the four Masters he has played was a tie for 18th in 2017. His best finish in the six U.S. Opens he’s played was a tie for 36th in 2008 and 2018.
Asked how he would assess his record in majors, Perez didn’t mince words.
“Terrible,’’ he said.
“They’re long, and I don’t hit it that long. I never have. I knew when I went to Erin Hills [for the 2017 U.S. Open] and Shinnecock [for the U.S. Open last month], there was no prayer for me. The fact that I even made the cut [at Shinnecock] I thought was fantastic. I finished 36th, and that was an ultimate win for me.’’
Perez, who bogeyed 18 to fall out of a tie for first place, was in a curiously salty mood after his round, initially refusing to speak to reporters.
The first words out of his mouth when he finally as coaxed into speaking to reporters by annoyed tournament officials was: “I don’t want to talk to you guys. I just don’t, if you want to be honest.’’
Perez, who has three career PGA Tour wins, was asked when — considering the position he’s in now — he might allow himself to think about winning his first career major.
“The best part for me is no one thinks that I can win,’’ he said. “That makes it easier to play. I don’t have any pressure. I’m not Rory [McIlroy] or Tiger [Woods] and these guys that have won so many times. They have the pressure of winning more of them.
“I’d like to do well. If I win, it would be amazing. I’d like to stay steady for 36 more holes and play well, make some putts, and if I happen to be there somewhere near the end that would be incredible. I’m 42 years old. After having [shoulder] surgery two years ago, if you said, ‘Hey, you could be on-off the lead at 42 in the Open.’ … It’s hard to believe at 42 I’m at the top of my game.’’
