He never wanted to be the star, the main attraction, but Kenny Perry will have no choice if this continues. The guy who merely wanted to win enough to make the Ryder Cup team is now racking up victories at a rapid pace.

"I don't want to live in a fishbowl," he said. "I don't want Tiger status."

He's got a ways to go to get there, but he is attracting more attention than ever before.

Perry beat Brad Adamonis and Jay Williamson in a one-hole playoff to win the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill., and escape with his third victory in five starts after bogeying the 18th hole yesterday.

Perry had a one-stroke lead at 17-under through 17 only to lose it thanks to some poor shots from the fringe on the final hole of regulation. He and Williamson were off the course when Adamonis, the PGA Tour's oldest rookie at 35, missed an 18-foot putt for birdie that would have won it in regulation and given him his first victory.

The ball stopped 3 feet short and Adamonis was at 16-under 268 with the others. Perry, who was signing autographs, said he didn't see the shot. He just heard the roar and knew he had to get back on the course.

While Adamonis and Williamson both hit approach shots into the pond on No. 18, Perry tapped in from 1 feet, 4 inches for par and the victory after his 24-footer stopped just short.

Perry pocketed $756,000 with his 12th victory and is enjoying the best stretch of his career at an age — 47 — when players are getting ready for the senior tour.

"My goal was never to be a superstar," Perry said. "I just wanted to make a living and support my kids."

Hawai'i's Dean Wilson shot a final-round 66 to finish at 277 and earned $21,210, while Parker McLachlin finished 69—281 to earn $9,030.

LPGA

CREAMER TAKES TITLE

Paula Creamer shot a 2-over 73, going wire-to-wire to win the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic in Sylvania, Ohio, by two strokes.

Creamer shot a 70 to finish at 16-under 268, two shots better than Nicole Castrale who closed with a 64.

Honolulu's Michelle Wie closed with a 72 for a 285 and earned $4,831.

Wie will need to earn about $110,000 in her final two LPGA events—this week's State Farm Classic and the Canadian Women's Open in August — to finish in the top 80 on the money list and secure her card for next season.

"I'm not really thinking about that right now," she said. "I'm just thinking that I'm playing good right now. My ball-striking's really good. I just have to work on my short game and my putting a little bit."

EUROPEAN TOUR

MCDOWELL VICTORIOUS

Graeme McDowell won the Scottish Open in Luss, Scotland, with three straight birdies on the back nine for a 3-under 68 and a two-stroke victory. Phil Mickelson had a 73 and finished 11 shots off the lead in a tie for 38th.