Who's who: Betsy King

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Who's who: Betsy King

  • Name:

    Betsy King
  • Country:

    USA
  • Born:

    Aug 13, 1955 in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
  • Original/Home Club:

  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer
  • Turned Pro:

    1977

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (6): Nabisco Dinah Shore (1987, '90, 97); US Women's Open (1989, '90); US LPGA Ch'ship (1992). Solheim Cup player (1990, '92, '94, '96, '98). Solheim Cup captain (2007). Total professional wins (38), including LPGA Tour (34). US LPGA leading money winner (1984, '89, '93). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 1995).

Did you know?

During her time at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, King and teammates Beth Daniel, Sherri Turner and Cindy Ferro won the 1976 Intercollegiate national golf team championships. The following year, having turned professional, King joined the LPGA Tour, but had to wait a further 7 years until 1984 to record her first Tour win.

Subsequent wins came thick and fast, allowing King to record a career total of 34 LPGA Tour tiles, including six major championships. 20 of these wins came between 1984 and 1989, making her the most prolific winner, male or female, during that period.

The last of King's three Leading Money Winner titles came in 1993. As of 2012, she is still the last American player to top the LPGA season-ending money list. King retired from the LPGA Tour in 2005, captained the USA Solheim Cup team in 2007, and became active in several charitable causes.

Top tournaments won by Betsy King

2001
America
201 (-12)
$180,000
ShopRite

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

201 (-12)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

ShopRite

Played as the ShopRite LPGA Classic (Jun 29-Jul 1). Second-placed Lorie Kane (Can) finished 2 shots behind Betsy King (USA), who won this event for the third time and recorded the last of her 34 LPGA Tour titles. [Bay course, Seaview Resort, Galloway, nr Atlantic City, NJ].

2000
America
Corning CC
276 (-12)
$120,000
Corning

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Corning CC

Score

276 (-12)

Prize money

$120,000

Title sponsor

Corning

Played as the LPGA Corning Classic (May 25-28). King (USA) beat Kelli Kuehne (USA) and Vickie Goetze-Ackerman (USA) with a birdie at the second playoff hole. [Corning CC, Corning, nr Elmira, New York].

2000
America
204 (-12)
$97,500
Cup Noodles

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

204 (-12)

Prize money

$97,500

Title sponsor

Cup Noodles

Played as the Cup Noodles Hawaiian Ladies Open (Feb 17-19). Second-placed Brandie Burton (USA) finished 2 shots behind King (USA). [Kapolei GC, Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii].

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

276 (-12)

Prize money

$135,000

Title sponsor

Nabisco

Played as the Nabisco Dinah Shore (26th) (March 27-30). Second-placed Kris Tschetter (USA) finished 2 shots behind King (USA), who won this event for the third time. [Dinah Shore Tournament course, Mission Hills CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].

1995
America
Greate Bay CC
204 (-9)
$97,500
ShopRite

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Greate Bay CC

Score

204 (-9)

Prize money

$97,500

Title sponsor

ShopRite

Played as the ShopRite LPGA Classic (June 23-25). Second-placed Rosie Jones (USA) and Beth Daniel (USA) finished 2 shots behind Betsy King (USA), who recorded her 30th LPGA Tour win. [Greate Bay CC, Somers Point, NJ].

1993
Asia
Lions CC, Jpn
205 (-11)
US$97,500
Toray

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Lions CC, Jpn

Score

205 (-11)

Prize money

US$97,500

Title sponsor

Toray

Played as the Toray Japan Queens Cup (LPGA & Jpn LPGA Trs event). Jane Geddes (USA) finished in second place behind King (USA). [Lions CC, Miki-shi, Hyogo, Japan].

1993
Awards
40 pts
n/a
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Score

40 pts

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

King (USA) won her third LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.

1993
Awards
$595,992
see Score
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Score

$595,992

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

King (USA) won her third LPGA Tour Money List, with 1993 season earnings of $595,992 on the Tour. Patty Sheehan (USA) was second with $540,547; Brandie Burton (USA) was third with $517,741.

1993
Awards
70.85
n/a
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Score

70.85

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

King (USA) won her second Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour (over a minumum of 70 rounds). Brandie Burton (USA) was second with 71.02; Patty Sheehan (USA) was third with 71.04. Nancy Lopez (USA) averaged 70.83, but played only 65 rounds.

1993
America
Stonebriar CC
7 skins
$185,000
JCPenney

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Stonebriar CC

Score

7 skins

Prize money

$185,000

Title sponsor

JCPenney

Played as the JCPenney LPGA Skins Game (unofficial LPGA Tr event). King (USA) won with a total of 7 skins worth $185,000. Second: Nancy Lopez (USA) with skins worth $110,000. Third: defending champion Pat Bradley (USA) with skins worth $85,000. Fourth: Dottie Mochrie (USA, née Pepper) with skins worth $70,000. [Stonebriar CC, Frisco, nr Dallas, Texas].

1992
Majors
Bethesda CC
267 (-17)
$150,000
Mazda

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Bethesda CC

Score

267 (-17)

Prize money

$150,000

Title sponsor

Mazda

The Mazda LPGA Championship (38th) (May 14-17). Second-placed Karen Noble (USA), Liselotte Neumann (Swe) and JoAnne Carner (USA) finished 11 shots behind King (USA), who recorded her fifth major championship win. [Bethesda CC, Bethesda, Maryland].

1992
America
Squaw Creek, OH
209 (-7)
$75,000
Phar-Mor

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Squaw Creek, OH

Score

209 (-7)

Prize money

$75,000

Title sponsor

Phar-Mor

Played as The Phar-Mor in Youngstown. King (USA) beat Beth Daniel (USA), Donna Andrews (USA) and Meg Mallon (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Squaw Creek CC, Vienna, Ohio].

1992
Asia
Musashigaoka CC
205 (-11)
US$97,500
Mazda

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Musashigaoka CC

Score

205 (-11)

Prize money

US$97,500

Title sponsor

Mazda

Played as the Mazda Japan Classic (LPGA & Jpn LPGA Trs event). Helen Alfredsson (Swe) finished in second place behind King (USA). [Musashigaoka CC, Hanno, Saitama, Japan].

1991
America
279 (-5)
$75,000
JAL

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Wykagyl

Score

279 (-5)

Prize money

$75,000

Title sponsor

JAL

Played as the JAL Big Apple Classic presented by Golf Magazine. Second-placed Ayako Okamoto (Jpn) finished 1 shot behind defending champion King (USA), who claimed her 25th LPGA Tour win. [Wykagyl CC, New Rochelle, New York].

1991
America
Corning CC
273 (-15)
$60,000
Corning

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Corning CC

Score

273 (-15)

Prize money

$60,000

Title sponsor

Corning

Played as the LPGA Corning Classic. Second-placed Deb Richard (USA) finished 6 shots behind King (USA). [Corning CC, Corning, nr Elmira, New York].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

2-up

Prize money

$100,000

Title sponsor

Itoman

Played as the inaugural Itoman LPGA World Match Play Championship (Dec 6-9; unofficial LPGA Tr event). Betsy King (USA) beat Deb Richard (USA) 2-up in the 18-hole final. [Makai Club at Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii].

1990
America
273 (-15)
$60,000
JAL

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Wykagyl

Score

273 (-15)

Prize money

$60,000

Title sponsor

JAL

Played as the inaugural JAL Big Apple Classic presented by Golf Magazine. Second-placed Beth Daniel (USA) finished 3 shots behind King (USA). [Wykagyl CC, New Rochelle, New York].

1990
Majors
284 (-4)
$85,000
USGA

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

284 (-4)

Prize money

$85,000

Title sponsor

USGA

The US Women's Open (45th) (July 12-15). Second-placed Patty Sheehan (USA) finished 1 shot behind defending champion King (USA). [Riverside course, Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, Atlanta, GA].

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

283 (-5)

Prize money

$90,000

Title sponsor

Nabisco

Played as the Nabisco Dinah Shore (19th) (Mar 29-Apr 1). Second-placed Shirley Furlong (USA) and Kathy Postlewait (USA) finished 2 shots behind King (USA). [Dinah Shore Tournament course, Mission Hills CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].

1989
Majors
Indianwood
278 (-6)
$80,000
USGA

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Indianwood

Score

278 (-6)

Prize money

$80,000

Title sponsor

USGA

The US Women's Open (44th) (July 13-16). Second-placed Nancy Lopez (USA) finished 4 shots behind King (USA), who won her second major championship title. [Old course, Indianwood G&CC, Lake Orion, Mich.].

1989
America
202 (-14)
$60,000
Kemper

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

202 (-14)

Prize money

$60,000

Title sponsor

Kemper

Played as the Women's Kemper Open. Jane Geddes (USA) finished 2 shots behind defending champion King (USA). [Makai Club at Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii].

1989
America
Pasadena GC
275 (-13)
$37,500
USX

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Pasadena GC

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

$37,500

Title sponsor

USX

Played as the USX Golf Classic. King (USA) beat Lynn Adams (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Pasadena GC, Gulfport, Florida; now called Pasadena Yatch & CC].

1989
America
202 (-11)
$75,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

202 (-11)

Prize money

$75,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Jamaica Classic. Second-placed Nancy Lopez (USA) finished 1 shot behind King (USA). [Tryall Club, Montego Bay, Jamaica].

1989
America
PineIsle Resort
275 (-13)
$83,500
Nestle

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

PineIsle Resort

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

$83,500

Title sponsor

Nestle

Played as the Nestle World Championship. Second-placed Pat Bradley (USA) and Patty Sheehan (USA) finished 1 shot behind King (USA). [PineIsle Resort, Lake Lanier, Georgia; now called Legacy Course on Lake Lanier].

1989
Awards
76 pts
n/a
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Score

76 pts

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

King (USA) won her second LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.

1989
America
DuPont CC
272 (-12)
$82,500
McDonald's

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

DuPont CC

Score

272 (-12)

Prize money

$82,500

Title sponsor

McDonald's

Played as the McDonald's Championship. Second-placed Pat Bradley (USA) and Shirley Furlong (USA) finished 2 shots behind King (USA). [DuPont CC, Wilmington, Delaware].

1989
Awards
$654,132
see Score
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Score

$654,132

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

King (USA) won her second LPGA Tour Money List, with 1989 season earnings of $654,132 on the Tour. Beth Daniel (USA) was second with $504,851; Nancy Lopez (USA) was third with $487,153.

1988
America
Riverside, OR
213 (-3)
$37,500
Cellular One-PING

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Riverside, OR

Score

213 (-3)

Prize money

$37,500

Title sponsor

Cellular One-PING

Played as the Cellular One-Ping LPGA Golf Championship (Sept 9-11). Second-placed Colleen Walker (USA) finished 1 shot behind Betsy King (USA). [Riverside G&CC, Portland, Oregon].

1988
America
Rail GC
207 (-9)
$33,750
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Rail GC

Score

207 (-9)

Prize money

$33,750

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Rail Charity Golf Classic. Second-placed Margaret Ward (USA) finished 2 shots behind King (USA), who won this event for the third time in four years. [Rail GC, Springfield, Illinois].

1988
America
280 (-8)
$45,000
Kemper

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

280 (-8)

Prize money

$45,000

Title sponsor

Kemper

Played as the Women's Kemper Open. Beth Daniel (USA) finished 1 shot behind King (USA). [Makai Club at Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii].

1987
Awards
71.14
n/a
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Score

71.14

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

King (USA) won the Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.

1987
America
281 (-7)
$30,000
Circle K

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

281 (-7)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

Circle K

Played as the Circle K Tucson Open. Second-placed Jan Stephenson (Aus) finished 2 shots behind King (USA). [North course, Randolph GC, Tucson, AZ].

1987
America
DuPont CC
278 (-6)
$75,000
McDonald's

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

DuPont CC

Score

278 (-6)

Prize money

$75,000

Title sponsor

McDonald's

Played as the McDonald's Championship. Second-placed Ayako Okamoto (Jpn) finished 2 shots behind King (USA). [DuPont CC, Wilmington, Delaware].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

207 (-6)

Prize money

$33,750

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Atlantic City LPGA Classic (Aug 21-23). Second-placed Nancy Lopez (USA) finished 3 shots behind Betsy King (USA). [Bay course, Seaview Resort, Galloway, nr Atlantic City, NJ].

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

283 (-5)

Prize money

$80,000

Title sponsor

Nabisco

Played as the Nabisco Dinah Shore (16th) (April 2-5). King (USA) beat Patty Sheehan (USA) at the second playoff hole, to record her first major championship win. [Dinah Shore Tournament course, Mission Hills CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].

1986
America
Rail GC
205 (-11)
$30,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Rail GC

Score

205 (-11)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Rail Charity Golf Classic. Defending champion King (USA) beat Alice Ritzman (USA) and Cathy Gerring (USA, née Kratzert) with a birdie at the second playoff hole. [Rail GC, Springfield, Illinois].

1986
America
Willow Creek, NC
277 (-11)
$34,500
Henredon

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Willow Creek, NC

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

$34,500

Title sponsor

Henredon

Played as the Henredon Classic. King (USA) beat JoAnne Carner with a par at the second playoff hole. [Willow Creek CC, High Point, North Carolina; now known as the Willow Creek course of High Point CC].

1985
America
Rail GC
206 (-10)
$27,750
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Rail GC

Score

206 (-10)

Prize money

$27,750

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Rail Charity Golf Classic. Second-placed Janet Anderson (USA) finished 2 shots behind King (USA), who claimed her fifth LPGA Tour win. [Rail GC, Springfield, Illinois].

1985
America
Arizona Biltmore
280 (-8)
$22,500
Samaritan

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Arizona Biltmore

Score

280 (-8)

Prize money

$22,500

Title sponsor

Samaritan

Played as the Samaritan Turquoise Classic. King (USA) beat Patty Sheehan (USA) with an eagle at the first playoff hole. [Arizona Biltmore GC, Phoenix, Arizona].

1985
Europe
300 (+8)
£9,000
Burberry

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

300 (+8)

Prize money

£9,000

Title sponsor

Burberry

Played as the Burberry Women's British Open (Oct 2-5). Second-placed Marta Figueras-Dotti (Esp) finished 2 shots behind King (USA). [Combination of High & West courses, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].

1984
America
Cypress Creek, FL
202 (-14)
$22,500
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Cypress Creek, FL

Score

202 (-14)

Prize money

$22,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Freedom/Orlando Classic. Second-placed Alice Miller (USA) finished 2 shots behind King (USA), who recorded her second LPGA Tour win. [Cypress Creek CC, Orlando, Florida; permanently closed down in 2007].

1984
America
281 (-7)
$30,000
Columbia Savings

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

281 (-7)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

Columbia Savings

Played as the Columbia Savings Classic. Second-placed Muffin Spencer-Devlin (USA) finished 1 shot behind King (USA). [Green Gables CC, Denver, Colorado; now permanently closed].

1984
America
283 (-9)
$30,000
Kemper

Category

America

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Score

283 (-9)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

Kemper

Played as the Women's Kemper Open. Pat Bradley (USA) finished 3 shots behind King (USA), who claimed her first LPGA Tour win after seven years on the Tour. [Royal Ka'anapali course, Ka'anapali Resort, Maui, Hawaii; at the time known as the North course].

1984
Awards
$266,771
see Score
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Score

$266,771

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

King (USA) won the LPGA Tour 1984 Money List, with earnings of $266,771 on the Tour. Patty Sheehan (USA) was second with $255,185; Ayako Okamoto (Jpn) was third with $251,108.

1984
Awards
55 pts
n/a
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

King, Betsy

Venue

Score

55 pts

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

King (USA) won the LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.

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