CARY, N.C. – Kenny Perry (66-69-70=205) made a critical 30-foot eagle on the par-5 17th to propel him to victory at the SAS Championship presented by Bloomberg Businessweek. Perry won by one-stroke over Jeff Sluman and John Huston for his first title on the Champions Tour.

Perry’s win came one day after the death of his 59-year-old sister Kay. “I just wanted to make her proud and somehow, you know, the eagle fell in the bottom of the cup on 17 and I felt like I know [my mom and her] were watching,” said Perry. “I felt some help there. I’m excited to win, but I’d rather have my sister back.”

Perry started the final round as co-leader with Nick Price and John Huston. While his playing partners struggled in chilly and windy conditions, Perry appeared to take command after birdies on holes 3, 6 and 11. However, he hit his approach shot into the water on the par-5 12th and exited the hole with a double bogey to fall one-shot back of Sluman.

Perry finally rebounded with a birdie on 16 to tie Sluman before sinking his eagle putt on 17 to take a two-stroke lead. A bogey on the par-4 18th proved meaningless after Sluman, playing in the group in front of Perry, missed his birdie attempt.

“I’m really happy for Kenny to win,” said Sluman. “It’s been a long time coming.”

Russ Cochran, the 2010 champion, finished fourth at 8-under. Fred Couples notched a solo fifth-place finish at 7-under.

Perry’s winning total of 11-under 205 was the highest winning 54-hole score in tournament history. The overall scoring average of 72.657 was the highest since the 2005 event.

The win came in Perry’s 11th career start on the Champions Tour, and it ended a victory drought of two years, three months and three days. He becomes the 18th different winner on the Champions Tour this year.

Perry earned a $315,000 paycheck for his effort, bringing his total earnings to $879,651 on the year. He also earned a two-year exemption into the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.