American professional golfer Kathrynne Ann Whitworth died on December 24, 2022. More than any other player on the LPGA Tour or PGA Tour, she won 88 LPGA Tour competitions throughout her playing career. She was the first woman on the LPGA Tour to collect $1 million in earnings during her career in 1981. The World Golf Hall of Fame includes her as a member.
The youngest of Morris Whitworth’s three daughters, Whitworth was born on September 27, 1939, in Monahans, Texas. Her father had a hardware shop and later served as mayor of Jal, New Mexico, where she was raised. She was an Odessa College student.
Whitworth started playing tennis and picked up golf at the age of 14. She won the 1957 and 1958 New Mexico State Amateur Championships after working with Hardy Loudermilk. She switched to Harvey Penick as her coach when she was 19 and went pro, joining the LPGA in December 1958.
Whitworth won the Kelly Girls Open, her debut competition, in 1962. She won 88 tournaments on the LPGA Tour between that and the United Virginia Bank Classic triumph in 1985, more than any other player, including those who competed on the PGA Tour for men. Six of them were important titles.
She became one of only four LPGA players to have won the Orange Blossom Classic five times when she did so in 1974. At the 1990 inaugural Solheim Cup match, she led the American team. In 1981, she became the first LPGA player to earn $1 million.
Whitworth set a record by winning the Vare Trophy seven times between 1965 and 1972 for the greatest scoring average by an LPGA Tour player. In 1965 and 1967, she received the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award. by Golf Magazine as “Golfer of the Decade” from 1968 to 1977.
Kathy Whitworth siblings: Meet late Carlynne and Evelynne
Carlynne and Evelynne were only known siblings of Kathy. Both of her siblings passed away some years back. With how fondly Kathy recalls memories that they shared together, it is evident she had a very healthy relationship with them.
