LA QUINTA — The 50th anniversary of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and the fact that Arnold Palmer was hosting the tournament weren't lost on Pat Perez Sunday.

“I didn't get to meet Mr. Hope, but if he was anything like Mr. Palmer, then he had to be unbelievable,” Perez said after etching his name into Hope history with a three-shot win over John Merrick at the Palmer Course at PGA West Sunday. “It must have been something with Mr. Hope and Mr. Palmer and back in the day with all their celebrity friends. I can only imagine.”

Perez put his name alongside Palmer's as Hope tournament winners Sunday with a crafty 3-under 69 in windy conditions that blew other players, including fourth-round leader Steve Stricker, out of contention. For Perez, it was the first win of his seven-year tour career and earned him a $918,000 first-prize check and a Chrysler 300C car.

And as Perez walked off the final green after a three-foot eagle putt to clinch the title, it was five-time Hope winner Palmer waiting to congratulate him.

“I think it's special. I feel privileged to win the tournament that Mr. Palmer won 50 years ago, and now he's back hosting it,” Perez said. “I feel honored that he was there to shake my hand when I got done. He's such a legend that it's just a great feeling on top of everything else.”