No golfer has ever surpassed Kathy Whitworth’s standard, not even Sam Snead, Tiger Woods, Mickey Wright, or Annika Sorenstam. She has the most victories of any player on a single professional tour with 88.
Whitworth passed away on Christmas Eve, according to her lifelong partner. Her LPGA Tour triumphs stretched over a quarter of a century, and she was the first woman to earn $1 million for her career on the LPGA. She was 83.
In July 1962, Whitworth won the Kelly Girls Opens, the first of her 88 victories. Whitworth broke Mickey Wright’s record of 82 career victories when she won the Lady Michelob in the summer of 1982. Throughout her career, she won six major championships.
Whitworth, who easily defeated Wimbledon singles champion Billie Jean King in 1967, was named the AP Female Athlete of the Year in 1965 and 1966. In 1982, Whitworth was enshrined in the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Over an eight-year period, she won the LPGA Player of the Year award seven times (1966 through 1973). She was the top money earner in eight seasons and seven times the Vare Trophy winner for the lowest scoring average.
Kathy Whitworth’s cause of death: How did Kathy Whitworth die?
Whitworth passed away abruptly Saturday night while celebrating with family and friends, according to Bettye Odle, who withheld the cause of death.
