Round recap

Kenny Perry came. Kenny Perry saw. And Kenny Perry walked away a winner. Again. For the first time in 3M Championship history a player repeated as champion. Perry shot a final-round 4-under 68 on Sunday to best Kevin Sutherland, Scott Dunlap and Bernhard Langer by four shots at 18 under par for the tournament. Perry shook off an opening-hole bogey to birdie four of the next five and all but coasted from there.

Hole of the day

582-yard, par-5 No. 18

The picturesque closing hole was its usual sink-or-swim self Sunday. Forty-five of 81 players made birdie or better, with six eagles. Just one other hole — the par-4 seventh — saw an eagle on the final day.

Quote of the day

"I like this golf course, too."

— Bernhard Langer, who finished tied for second for the second consecutive year to Kenny Perry. In seven appearances in this tournament Langer has two wins and three runner-up finishes.

Four questions

Up and down with Greg Craft, the Tuesday qualifier who shot 5 under on Sunday to finish the tournament 11 under par and a tie for seventh place:

Q What was different about the third round?

A Just a few different breaks. I've been off my swing a little bit all week and kind of struggling. I hit good shots but a few loose ones. The loose ones just weren't as penalizing today. My only two bogeys were three-putts. Think of that: I'm not hitting well and that happens. But it was a nice round. A lot of fun.

Q I'm guessing the chip-in on No. 7 sort of got you started?

A At that point after I holed that shot I started going, "Man, If only I was a little more on my game." I really was playing OK all week, but something just wasn't right. I had to play away from pins and do a few different things. I'm working on a swing change and there's been some good signs, a lot of good shots. But I also have seen some revert back.

Q Marco Dawson had to pre-qualify to get in this tournament last year and finished tied for third. What is it about qualifiers playing well here?

A When you're like Marco and me you're a little hungrier. You know you have to play your way in. Both of us are in good shape, we just turned 50. That helps. A lot of guys are older and have injuries. There are different things and variables that go into it. I played the PGA Tour 16 years. We know how to play golf. We just don't quite have enough money to be fully exempt, and we certainly are thankful for that avenue.

Q Can one single round turn things around for you?

A This is what it's all about. Get up the money list, play well, build confidence. You just never know. Look at the year Marco has had since coming here last year. I hope to follow in his footsteps.

BRIAN STENSAAS