She thought seriously about giving up golf. Yet for Brandie Burton, that would be like giving up life.
And look what she would have missed.On Sunday in the du Maurier Classic, Burton overcame five winless and pain-filled years to sink an 8-foot putt on the final hole for a one-stroke victory over Annika Sorenstam.
Burton closed with an even-par 72, still enough to set a tournament record at 18-under 270, the lowest score in relation to par ever in a women's major. Betsy King had a 17-under 267 in winning the 1992 LPGA Championship.
"I honestly cannot remember seeing the ball when I addressed that putt," said Burton, who buried her face in her hands as the ball hit the bottom of the cup at Essex Golf and Country Club..
It was the fifth LPGA victory for the 26-year-old Burton but the first since 1993 when she won three times, including a playoff victory over King in the du Maurier, the final major championship of the women's season.
ST. JUDE CLASSIC: At Memphis, Tenn., Nick Price birdied the second playoff hole to beat Jeff Sluman and win the FedEx St. Jude Classic. It was Price's first victory this season and second since 1994.
After both players parred the first playoff hole, No. 18, Sluman's tee shot landed into the water right of the fairway on the second extra hole - the par-4 No. 12. He hit his third shot to about 12 feet, but Price made a 20-foot birdie putt to win his second St. Jude title.