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 companion. Her LPGA Tour victories stretched over a quarter of a century, and she was the first woman to earn $1 million on the tour. She was 83.
Whitworth unexpectedly passed away Saturday night while celebrating with family and friends, according to Bettye Odle, who withheld the cause of death.
Odle noted in a statement provided by the LPGA Tour that “Kathy left this worth the way she spent her life — loving, laughing, and creating memories.”
In July 1962, Whitworth won the Kelly Girl Open, the first of her 88 victories. Whitworth won the Lady Michelob in the summer of 1982, shattering Wright’s previous record of 82-lifetime victories. Throughout her career, she won six major championships.
In 1985, she achieved her last triumph at the United Virginia Bank Classic.
Where will Kathy Whitworth be buried? Burial site and Find a Grave details
At the time of this publication, no burial site has been named yet. Keep checking back for you to be updated.
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.
