Perry back on the job at U.S. Open

OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. -- Kenny Perry's popularity is soaring.

The hottest player on tour after consecutive wins at the Colonial and the Memorial, Perry took a week off but didn't get much of a break. Congratulatory phone calls and endless interviews left little time for rest going into this week's U.S. Open.

"I told my caddie I had to come back to work to get a good night's sleep," Perry said.

Perry, who has six career wins, came closest at a major when he lost to Mark Brooks in a playoff at the 1996 PGA Championship. But after pocketing $1.8 million in two weeks with his consecutive wins, he's a man people want to watch.

"It's not been easy. I had a lot of people following me today," he said after a practice round Tuesday.

"I've kind of flown under the radar out here for 17 years. I've had a good career, nothing fantastic. And then I win two tournaments back-to-back, and it's like the whole world changed."