Victory No 30 puts King in Hall of Fame

Golf

Betsy King had endured a run of 41 tournaments without a success, but victory in the LPGA Classic at Somers Point, New Jersey - the 30th of her career - was enough to install her in the association's Hall of Fame.

King shot a closing four-under-par 67, sinking a 14-footer for a birdie at the 17th to break out of a three-way tie for the lead, sealing victory with a 12-foot birdie putt at the 18th for a nine-under total of 204. Beth Daniel and Rosie Jones finished two shots further back.

"The word for it is 'relief'," the 39-year-old King said. "I didn't think today was going to be my day, but I made a lot of putts when it counted. I was kind of nervous and had a tough start."

King's first-round 66 was the tournament pace-setter, despite being split over two days because of rain delays. After completing it on Saturday she scored a level-par second round.

King had been chasing her 30th victory since November, 1993. Last year was the first year since 1983 that she had failed to win at least one tournament. Her 30th victory automatically put King into the Hall of Fame, along with the 13 other golfers already there.