Perry concerned, Villegas determined ahead of marathon day

By Steve Keating

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (Reuters) - Kenny Perry is dreading it and Camilo Villegas says he will approach it as just another day on the golf course.

Those are the contrasting views of a 48-year-old American PGA Tour regular and an ultra-fit 26-year-old Colombian as they look ahead to the 36-hole marathon that awaits them on Saturday at the BMW Championship.

After the remnants of Hurricane Gustav swept across Bellerive Golf Club on Thursday and washed out first-round play, organizers have been forced to jam two rounds on a tough, soggy layout into a single day.

Saturday's doubleheader will mark the first time an entire field has played 36 holes at a PGA Tour event since the 2005 International.

"I'm not looking forward to 36 tomorrow," said Perry, who fired an opening round 66 to sit one shot back of first round leader Villegas. "I'll tell you that right now. This is a big golf course.

"I've not done a lot of great things on 36 holes but you never know.

"It's definitely a young man's game tomorrow."

Villegas, nicknamed Spiderman for the elastic-like flexibility he displays lining up putts, is one of golf's fittest players.

But while Villegas might be able to contort himself into shapes Perry can only imagine, the veteran American knows you do not need to be double-jointed or run a four-minute mile to win on the golf course.

Perry has racked up PGA Tour 12 titles, including three this season, while Villegas is still seeking his first.

"You're here to play a golf tournament, to do your best to win a golf tournament, and if you've got to play 36 holes tomorrow, you've got to play 36 holes tomorrow," shrugged Villegas. "If we've got to play more than 18 on Sunday, we've got to play more than 18 on Sunday."

(Editing by Ed Osmond)