Kenny Perry Playing for Father's Health

This weekend, FanHouse is out at the FBR Open, a tournament known more for its party atmosphere than its golf.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- If you want to see a man under pressure, go to a driving range and chat with Kenny Perry. If you're thinking the pressure Perry feels is the same as what he went through last year, however, you're wrong.

In 2008, Perry pressured himself to achieve one goal -- play the Ryder Cup in Kentucky, his home state. He proceeded with a "Damn everyone and everything, I'm going for what I want" mentality that ended up working out better than expected.

But this year is a completely different monster.

Perry is forcing himself to play better to keep his dad alive. That'll make those five-footers more important than bigger numbers on a paycheck.

Ken Perry, the father of the the 12-time winner on tour, is 84 years old and had two stents put in his heart. He has lost over 40 pounds and hasn't left his bed for a month.

"It was like he got to the Ryder Cup and he was trying too hard to get (there), and just the strength to walk on that green, and then ever since (the Ryder Cup) he has gone downhill," Perry said after his 8-under 63 on Friday.

Perry is forcing himself to be good at this once more, so his dad has something to live for. By just talking to him, you can feel his determination.

"If I can just somehow play well, keep my name (on the leaderboard) -- he really loves watching me play golf -- that pumps him up," Perry said. "If I can somehow get him through this winter ... I think he's just really depressed. He's on antidepressants; they've got him on a lot of drugs. He probably takes 20 pills a day. I saw his pillbox; it's nasty."

I guess, maybe, this makes a little more sense for me. Growing up a young, talented (by some accounts) golfer, my dad enjoyed two things -- working and watching me golf. There was added pressure on me as a young kiddo because I wanted to go out and put up a number because my father was living the dream as well. Wins, maybe a college scholarship, possibly a professional career in this stupid sport. They were all his dream, along with mine, and happiness was found between us when I was able to make more birdies than bogeys.

Though he's 48, Perry is finding the same motivation for his game. He is just a couple of years away from the Champions Tour and has made a fine career (23 years and counting) out of being a successful, respectable golfer. Now, however, he is being pushed by the inevitable. His father, who looks to him for inspiration, needs another reason to get out of bed.

Hopefully for a gentleman like Perry, a few more birdies will show on his scorecard this weekend and his dad will get out of bed and make it to the couch to see his boy play golf.

It might not be the lead story on Sunday night, but it will be the best.