Kathy Whitworth, the winningest golfer died

Kathy Whitworth, the winningest golfer in the history of the sport, has died at the age of 83. The Texas player, who dominated the LPGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s, achieved 88 victories on said circuit, an absolute record in professional golf in the United States, as well as 95 second places, she became the first woman to win 1 million dollars on the LPGA, died on Christmas Eve, as his longtime partner pointed out. She was 83 years old. Bettye Odle did not reveal the cause of death, saying only that Whitworth died suddenly on Saturday night while she was celebrating with family and friends.

Kathy Whitworth, history

“It is with a loving heart that we inform everyone of the passing of the winningest golf professional in history, Kathy Whitworth. Kathy passed away suddenly on Saturday night while celebrating Christmas Eve with family and friends. Kathy left this world the way she lived her life, loving, laughing and making memories,” said Bettye Odle, partner of Kathy Whitworth; to which Mollie Marcoux Samaan, the LPGA Commissioner, added on the LPGA Tour page: “The world of golf and the world in general lost one of its most incredible women with the passing of Kathy Whitworth. Kathy was a champion in the truest sense of the word, both on and off the golf course. In the short time I spent with Kathy, I was really impressed by her and her approach to the game and her life. Her strength from her, insight and vitality from her were evident from the moment I met her! She inspired me as a child and now as a commissioner and I know she did the same for many others. We all cried with Bettye, her family and the entire golf world.”

Whitworth won the first of his 88 titles at the Kelly Girls Open in July 1962. He won six majors during his career and broke Mickey Wright’s record of 82 career wins when Whitworth captured Lady Michelob in the summer of 1982. His His last victory came in 1985 at the United Virginia Bank Classic. “Winning never goes out of style,” Whitworth once said. The only thing missing from her career was the U.S. Women’s Open, the largest of the women’s majors.

Whitworth was the AP Female Sportsperson of the Year in 1965 and in 1967, when she easily defeated Wimbledon singles champion Billie Jean King. Whitworth was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1982. She was the LPGA Player of the Year seven times in eight years (1966 to 1973). She won the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average seven times and was the top money earner in eight seasons. Wright won 82 times on the LPGA Tour, while Sorenstam had 72 wins when he retired after the 2006 season at age 36. “I think Mickey had the best swing and was probably the best golfer,” Betsy Rawls once told Golf Digest. “But Kathy was the best player in the game I’ve ever seen.”