Suzanne Maxwell Berning (July 22, 1941 – October 2, 2024) was an American professional golfer. She became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1964 and won four major championships and eleven LPGA Tour victories in all. She also competed under her maiden name Susie Maxwell from 1964 to 1968. She was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2022.
Early life and amateur career
Suzanne Maxwell was born in Pasadena, California. Her family moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, when she was 13.
She was the first woman to receive a golf scholarship from Oklahoma City University, where she competed on the men's team.
Professional career
In 1964, Maxwell turned pro and joined the LPGA Tour that year. She earned LPGA Rookie of the Year honors.
Awards and honors
- In 1964, she earned the LPGA Rookie of the Year award.
- In 1967, she was named the LPGA's Most Improved Player.
- In 2020, she was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame
Professional wins (13)
LPGA Tour wins (11)
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! Legend
|-style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|LPGA Tour major championships (4)
|-
|Other LPGA Tour (7)
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!No.
!Date
!Tournament
!Winning score
!Margin of victory
!Runner(s)-up
|-
|1
|May 16, 1965
|Muskogee Civitan Open
|−3 (71-72-70=213)
|5 strokes
| Kathy Cornelius<br> Judy Kimball<br> Mickey Wright
|-style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|2
|Jun 13, 1965
|Women's Western Open
|−2 (73-72-76-69=290)
|3 strokes
| Marlene Hagge
|-
|3
|Apr 2, 1967
|Louise Suggs Invitational
| +8 (75-72-77=224)
|Playoff
| Sandra Haynie
|-
|4
|Jun 18, 1967
|Milwaukee Jaycee Open
|E (68-73-75=216)
|5 strokes
| Barbara Romack<br> Judy Kimball<br> Judy Rankin<br> Peggy Wilson
|-style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|5
|Jul 7, 1968
|U.S. Women's Open
| +5 (69-73-76-71=289)
|3 strokes
| Mickey Wright
|-
|6
|Jun 8, 1969
|Lady Carling Open
|−6 (69-74-70=213)
|1 stroke
| Donna Caponi
|-
|7
|Jun 22, 1969
|Pabst Ladies Classic
|−5 (69-71-71=211)
|1 stroke
| Donna Caponi<br> Clifford Ann Creed<br> Shirley Englehorn
|-style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|8
|Jul 2, 1972
|U.S. Women's Open
| +11 (79-76-73-71=299)
|1 stroke
| Kathy Ahern<br> Pam Barnett<br> Judy Rankin
|-
|9
|Jun 24, 1973
|Heritage Village Open
|−12 (68-70-69=207)
|4 strokes
| Sandra Haynie
|-style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|10
|Jul 22, 1973
|U.S. Women's Open
|−3 (73-77-69-72=290)
|5 strokes
| Gloria Ehret<br> Shelley Hamlin
|-
|11
|Jul 25, 1976
|Lady Keystone Open
|−1 (72-71-72=215)
|3 strokes
| Pat Bradley<br> Sandra Haynie
|}
LPGA Tour playoff record (1–1)
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!No.!!Year!!Tournament!!Opponent!!Result
|-style="background:#F5DEB3;"
|1
|1966
|Lady Carling Open
| Clifford Ann Creed
|Lost to birdie on first extra hole
|-style="background:#B0E0E6;"
|2
|1967
|Louise Suggs Invitational
| Sandra Haynie
|Won with birdie on second extra hole
|}
Sources:
Other wins (2)
- 1975 Lady Keystone Open
- 1997 Sprint Senior Challenge
Major championships
Wins (4)
{|class="wikitable"
!Year!!Championship!!Winning score!!Margin!!Runner(s)-up
|-style="background:#FFCC99;"
| 1965 || Women's Western Open || −2 (73-72-76-69=290) || 3 strokes || Marlene Hagge
|-style="background:#FBCEB1;"
| 1968 || U.S. Women's Open || +5 (69-73-76-71=289) || 3 strokes || Mickey Wright
|-style="background:#FBCEB1;"
| 1972 || U.S. Women's Open || +11 (79-73-76-71=299) || 1 stroke || Kathy Ahern, Pam Barnett, Judy Rankin
|-style="background:#FBCEB1;"
| 1973 || U.S. Women's Open || +2 (72-77-69-72=290) || 5 strokes || Gloria Ehret, Shelley Hamlin
|}
Source: