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Scott Verplank to play on despite family death

The wife of PGA Tour rules official Dillard Pruitt died Friday from complications of cystic fibrosis, news that hit Scott Verplank particularly hard after he finished his second round of the British Open.

Fran Pruitt, who was 46, and Verplank’s wife were sisters.

“She’s the one who introduced us,” he said quietly as he sat in the locker room at Royal Birkdale, so numb over the news that he wasn’t the least bit interested in his round of 67 that brought him back into contention, five shots out of the lead.

Pruitt’s death touched many PGA Tour members.

Her husband played on the PGA Tour from 1988 to 1996 before he decided to become a rules officials. He is the younger brother of Jan Haas, who is married to Champions Tour player Jay Haas. And she set up her little sister, Kim, on a blind date in Dallas with Verplank.

Fran Pruitt had been awaiting a double lung transplant and took a turn for the worse earlier this week. Verplank, who brought his son with him to Britain and celebrated Scottie’s 16th birthday Monday, said he considered withdrawing Thursday, but his wife and Dillard Pruitt insisted he play.

“My wife said the only good news she had today was getting a text that I was playing good and that someone saw Scottie on TV,” Verplank said.