John Daly's credo was to just keep plugging away.
He plugged away to overcome a PGA Tour suspension and a stay in a treatment center for alcoholism."I just hung in there," Daly said Sunday after claiming the third victory of his career, making a final-round of par 72 stand up to capture the $1.2 million BellSouth Classic.
"I just kept plugging away," he said. "It was somewhat of an inconsistent day. The greatest thing about this day is I know I can still win a golf tournament."
Daly's 14-under 274 total earned him $216,000 and a one-shot victory over defending champion Nolan Henke and Brian Henninger, who made an 8-foot eagle putt on the final hole just before Daly made a pressure 5-footer for a birdie and victory.
The 1991 PGA champion hadn't won since the B.C. Open in 1992.
Daly returned to the tour in March after sitting out a three-month suspension for his conduct during a tournament in Hawaii and a stay in a treatment center for alcoholism.
"This is the first tournament I've won on the PGA Tour in a sober manner," he said, adding that he'll celebrate by driving back to his home in Memphis, eating about a dozen donuts along the way.
Henke posted a 69 on the hilly Atlanta Country Club course and Henninger, who splits time between the PGA and Nike tours, shot 71, setting up his last-hole eagle with a 4-iron from 210 yards.
"I wasn't sure if I was capable of winning right then," Henninger said. "I just wanted to give it a go."
He said when he stood over the putt, "I was shaking like a leaf, like that putt was to win the tournament. My heart was pounding."
Henninger played the final two rounds with Daly, a fan favorite who drew huge galleries all week.
"It looked like a football crowd," Daly said. "It was incredible. The last two days were unbelievable."
Tom Kite was in the chase until he bogeyed the 17th, and needed to eagle 18 for the third day in a row to have any chance. His approach landed in the water, but he still salvaged par and wound up with a 71 for a four-way tie for sixth with 277.
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In Austin, Texas, Dale Douglass and Charles Coody shot an 8-under-par 64 for a one-stroke victory in the Legends of Golf better-ball tournament Sunday. Douglass and Coody, who split $200,000, had a 28-under 188 total on the Barton Creek course. Chi Chi Rodriguez-Jim Dent and Bob Murphy-Jim Colbert closed with 63s to tie for second.
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In Nashville, Tenn., Laura Davies shot a 4-under-par 68 for a one-stroke victory over Meg Mallon in the Sara Lee Classic on Sunday. Davies, who earned $78,750 for her second victory of the year, had a 13-under 203 total on the Hermitage course. Mallon shot a 69.