Kathy Whitworth
Name:
Kathrynne Ann WhitworthCountry:
USALived:
[1939-2022]. Born on Sept 27, 1939 in Monahans, Texas. Died on Dec 24, 2022 in Flower Mound, nr Dallas, Texas (aged 83).Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Professional golfer; golf writer.Turned Pro:
1958 (aged 19)MAJORS (6): Titleholders Ch'ship (1965, '66); Western Open (1967); US LPGA Ch'ship (1967, '71, '75). Solheim Cup captain (1990). Total professional wins (98), including LPGA Tour (88). LPGA Tour leading money winner (1965, '66, '67, '68, '70, '71, '72, '73). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 1975).
After a successful amateur career and attending Odessa College in Texas, Whitworth turned professional aged 19. The 88 LPGA Tour victories she recorded between 1962 and 1985 has not been equalled by anyone on either the LPGA or PGA Tours. Among this record number of wins, she secured six major championship titles. In 1981 she became the first woman to reach career earnings of $1 million on the LPGA Tour.
Whitworth was the winning United States team captain at the inaugural Solheim Cup in 1990. She was also due to captain the 1992 team, but had to fly back to the U.S. just before the match got underway, following the death of her mother. LPGA President Alison Miller took over as captain.
America
Utd Virginia Bank
Played as the United Virginia Bank Golf Classic. Second-placed and defending champion Amy Alcott (USA) finished 1 shot behind Whitworth (USA), who recorded the last of her 88 LPGA Tour wins (the most of any LPGA Tour or PGA Tour player). [Sleepy Hole GC, Suffolk, Virginia].
America
Safeco
Played as the Safeco Classic. Second-placed Laura Baugh (USA) and Marta Figueras-Dotti (Esp) finished 2 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Meridian Valley CC, Kent, nr Seattle, WA].
Europe
Smirnoff
Played as the Smirnoff Ladies Irish Open (Oct 11-14; co-sponsored by the American LPGA Tour and British/European WPGA Tour ... after some "political" wrangling between the two organisations). Second-placed Becky Pearson (USA) and Pat Bradley (USA) finished 2 shots behind 45-year-old Whitworth (USA). [Clandeboye GC, Bangor, N.Ireland].
America
x
Played as the Rochester International. Whitworth (USA) beat Rosie Jones (USA) with a par at the first playoff hole. [Locust Hill CC, Pittsford, Rochester, NY].
America
Kemper
Played as the Women's Kemper Open. Dale Eggeling (USA) finished 1 shot behind Whitworth (USA). [Royal Ka'anapali course, Ka'anapali Resort, Maui, Hawaii; at the time known as the North course].
America
CPC
Played as the CPC Women's International. Second-placed Patty Sheehan (USA) finished 9 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Moss Creek Plantation, Hilton Head Island, SC; now called Moss Creek GC].
America
Michelob
Played as the Lady Michelob. Second-placed Sharon Barrett (USA) and Barbara Moxness (USA) finished 4 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Brookfield CC, Roswell, Georgia; at the time Brookfield West G&CC].
America
PING
Played as the Portland PING Team Championship (unofficial LPGA Tr team event). Defending champions Donna Caponi (USA) & Kathy Whitworth (USA) beat JoAnne Carner (USA) & Judy Rankin (USA) with a birdie at the second playoff hole. [Riverside G&CC, Portland, Oregon].
America
Coca-Cola
Played as the Coca-Cola Classic. Whitworth (USA) beat Alice Ritzman (USA) with a birdie at the second playoff hole. [Ridgewood CC, Paramus, New Jersey].
America
PING
Played as the Portland PING Team Championship (unofficial LPGA Tr team event). Second-placed Janet Alex (USA) & Judy Clark (USA) finished 4 shots behind Donna Caponi (USA) & Kathy Whitworth (USA). [Riverside G&CC, Portland, Oregon].
America
PING
Played as the PING Classic Team Championship (Sept 22-24; unofficial LPGA Tr team event). Donna Caponi (USA) & Kathy Whitworth (USA) beat Murle Breer (USA) & Barbara Moxness (USA) with a 20-foot birdie putt at the third playoff hole. [Columbia Edgewater CC, Portland, Oregon].
America
Natl Jewish Hosp.
Played as the National Jewish Hospital Open. Second-placed Gloria Ehret (USA), Pat Bradley (USA) and Jo Ann Washam (USA) finished 3 shots behind Whitworth (USA), who recorded her 80th LPGA Tour win. [Green Gables CC, Denver, Colorado; now permanently closed].
America
American Defender
Played as the American Defender Classic. Second-placed Pat Bradley (USA) finished 1 shot behind Whitworth (USA). [North Ridge CC, Raleigh, North Carolina].
America
Coca-Cola
Played as the LPGA Coca-Cola Classic. Second-placed Donna Caponi (USA) finished 3 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Forsgate CC, Monroe Township, New Jersey].
America
Colgate
Played as the Colgate Dinah Shore Winners Circle (6th) (Mar 31-Apr 3). Second-placed Sally Little (RSA) and JoAnne Carner (USA) finished 1 shot behind Kathy Whitworth (USA). [Dinah Shore Tournament course, Mission Hills CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].
America
x
Played as the inaugural Bent Tree Ladies Classic. Second-placed Hollis Stacy (USA) finished 1 shot behind Whitworth (USA), who claimed her 75th LPGA Tour win. [Bent Tree CC, nr Sarasota, Florida].
America
x
Played as the Patty Berg Golf Classic. Sandra Post finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Southgate Open. Gerda Boykin finished in second place behind Whitworth.
Majors
LPGA
The LPGA Championship (21st) (May 29-Jun 1). Second-placed Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 1 shot behind Whitworth (USA), who won her third LPGA Championship, and the last of her six major championship titles. [Pine Ridge GC, Baltimore, Maryland].
America
Colgate
Played as the inaugural Colgate Triple Crown (Jan 18/19; first edition of this 36-hole event in 1975, featuring the nine leading players from Colgate's top sponsored women's events in 1974). Second-placed Judy Rankin (USA) finished 2 shots behind Kathy Whitworth (USA). [Blue Monster course, Trump Natl Doral Resort, Miami, FL].
America
x
Played as the Orange Blossom Classic. Second-placed Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 1 shot behind Whitworth (USA). [Seminole Lake CC, Seminole, nr St Petersburg, FL].
America
x
Played as the Portland Ladies Tournament (Sept 21-23). Second-placed Sandra Palmer (USA) finished 2 shots behind defending champion Kathy Whitworth (USA). Reduced to 36 holes following cancellation of second round due to bad weather. [Portland GC, Portland, Oregon].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her seventh (and third straight) LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.
America
x
Played as the Southgate Ladies Open. Gerda Boykin finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
Civitan
Played as the Dallas Civitan Open. Whitworth (USA) beat Mary Mills (USA) with a par at the second playoff hole. [Brookhaven CC, Farmers Branch, Dallas, Texas].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her eighth (and fourth straight) LPGA Tour Money List, with 1973 season earnings of $82,864 on the Tour. Judy Rankin (USA) was second on the money list.
America
S&H Stamps
Played as the S&H Green Stamp Classic. Second-placed Mary Mills (USA) finished 2 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Westwood GC, Houston, TX; at the time Westwood CC].
America
Waco TH
Played as the Waco Tribune Herald Ladies Classic. Second-placed Marilynn Smith (USA), Sharon Miller (USA), Pam Higgins (USA) and Kathy Cornelius (USA) finished 4 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Lake Waco CC, Waco, Texas].
America
x
Played as the Naples Lely Classic. JoAnne Carner finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Lady Errol Classic. Gloria Ehret (USA) and Shelley Hamlin (USA) finished 2 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Apopka G&TC, Apopka, FL; at the time known as Errol Estates CC].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her seventh (and third straight) LPGA Tour Money List, with 1972 season earnings of $65,063 on the Tour. Jane Blalock (USA) was second on the money list.
America
Alamo
Played as the Alamo Ladies Open. Mickey Wright (USA) finished 3 shots behind Whitworth (USA), who won this event for the fourth time. [Olmos Basin GC, San Antonio, Texas].
America
x
Played as the Raleigh Golf Classic. Second-placed Marilynn Smith (USA) finished 2 shots behind defending champion Whitworth (USA). [Raleigh CC, Raleigh, North Carolina].
America
x
Played as the Knoxville Ladies Classic. Sandra Haynie finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the inaugural Portland Ladies Tournament (Sept 29-Oct 1). Second-placed Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 4 shots behind Kathy Whitworth (USA). [Portland GC, Portland, Oregon].
America
x
Played as the Southgate Ladies Open. Jocelyne Bourassa finished in second place behind Whitworth.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her seventh (and fourth straight) Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her sixth (and second straight) LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.
America
Suzuki
Played as the Suzuki Golf International. Sandra Haynie and Sandra Palmer finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
Carling
Played as the Lady Carling Open. Second-placed Jane Blalock (USA) finished 6 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Pine Ridge GC, Baltimore, Maryland].
America
x
Played as the Raleigh Golf Classic. Second-placed Pam Barnett (USA) finished 5 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Raleigh CC, Raleigh, North Carolina].
America
LPGA
Played as the inaugural LPGA Team Championship (July 15-17). Second-placed team of Judy Rankin (USA) & Marlene Hagge (USA) finished 2 shots behind Kathy Whitworth (USA) & Judy Kimball (USA). [New Seabury CC, Mashpee, MA; first round played at Eastward Ho! CC, Chatham, MA].
Majors
Eve
The Eve LPGA Championship (17th) (June 10-13). Second-placed Kathy Ahern (USA) finished 4 shots behind Whitworth (USA). This was Whitworth's third straight win on the LPGA tour in as many weeks, and the fifth major championship win of her career. [Pleasant Valley CC, Sutton, MA].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her sixth (and second straight) LPGA Tour Money List, with 1971 season earnings of $41,182 on the Tour. Sandra Haynie (USA) was second on the money list.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her fifth LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her sixth (and third straight) Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.
America
Quality Chekd
Played as the Quality Chekd Classic. Second-placed JoAnne Carner (USA) finished 3 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Lake Waco CC, Waco, Texas].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her fifth LPGA Tour Money List, with 1970 season earnings of $30,235 on the Tour. Sandra Haynie (USA) was second on the money list.
America
x
Played as the Orange Blossom Classic. Second-placed Carol Mann (USA) finished 1 shot behind Whitworth (USA), who won this event for the third straight year. [Sunset G&CC, St Petersburg, Florida; now called Vinoy GC].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her fifth (and second straight) Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.
America
x
Played as the Orange Blossom Classic. Marlene Hagge (USA) and Shirley Englehorn (USA) finished 1 shot behind defending champion Whitworth (USA). [Sunset G&CC, St Petersburg, Florida; now called Vinoy GC].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her fourth straight LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.
America
x
Played as the Wendell - West Open. Judy Rankin finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
Carling
Played as the Lady Carling Open. Whitworth (USA) beat Mickey Wright (USA) with a par at the first playoff hole. [Canongate CC, Sharpsburg, Georgia; now called Canongate 1 GC].
America
x
Played as the Port Charlotte Invitational. Sandra Post and Sandra Haynie finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Patty Berg Classic. Sandra Haynie finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Port Malabar Invitational. Mickey Wright finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the River Plantation Women's Open. Betsy Rawls finished in second place behind Whitworth.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her fourth Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her third straight LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her fourth straight LPGA Tour Money List, with 1968 season earnings of $48,379 on the Tour. Carol Mann (USA) was second on the money list.
America
x
Played as the Canyon Ladies Classic. Donna Caponi, Mary Mills and Shirley Englehorn finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Gino Paoli Open. Whitworth (USA) beat Marlene Hagge (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole, to record her 40th LPGA Tour win. [Ridgewood CC, Danbury, Connecticut].
America
x
Played as the inaugural (and only) Kings River Open. Second-placed Sandra Haynie finished 10 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Kings River CC, Kingsburg, California].
America
x
Played as the St Petersburg Orange Blossom Classic. Second-placed Sandra Haynie (USA) and Judy Kimball (USA) finished 1 shot behind Whitworth (USA). [Sunset G&CC, St Petersburg, Florida; now called Vinoy GC].
America
x
Played as the Pensacola Ladies Invitational. Jo Ann Prentice finished in second place behind Whitworth.
Played as the Louise Suggs Invitational. Carol Mann finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Ladies World Series of Golf. Carol Mann finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the River Plantation Invitational. Kathy Cornelius finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
Civitan
Played as the Dallas Civitan Open. Second-placed Carol Mann (USA) finished 1 shot behind Whitworth (USA). [Glen Lakes CC, Dallas, TX; club/course no longer exists].
America
Holiday Inn
Played as the Holiday Inn Classic. Judy Kimball and Carol mann finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
Carling
Played as the Lady Carling Open. Second-placed Carol Mann (USA) finished 1 shot behind Whitworth (USA). [Pine Ridge GC, Baltimore, Maryland].
America
Carling
Played as the Lady Carling Open. Second-placed Susie Maxwell (USA; Susie Berning from 1968) finished 1 shot behind Whitworth. [Walnut Hill CC, Columbus, Ohio, which permanently closed in 2012].
America
Alamo
Played as the Alamo Ladies Open (for the last time until 1971). Defending champion Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 3 shots behind Whitworth (USA), who won this event for the third time. [Olmos Basin GC, San Antonio, Texas].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her third straight LPGA Tour Money List, with 1967 season earnings of $32,937 on the Tour. For the second consecutive year, Sandra Haynie (USA) was second on the money list.
Majors
LPGA
The LPGA Championship (13th) (July 13-16). Second-placed Shirley Englehorn (USA) finished 1 shot behind Whitworth (USA), who recorded the first of her three LPGA Championship wins. [Pleasant Valley CC, Sutton, MA].
America
x
Played as the Ladies' Los Angeles Open (a one-off event, not related to the LPGA Tour's 1955 Los Angeles Open). Murle Lindstrom (USA) finished 4 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Montebello GC, Montebello, Los Angeles, CA].
America
x
Played as the Raleigh Ladies Invitational. Second-placed Susie Maxwell (USA) finished 5 shots behind Whitworth (USA), who recorded her 30th LPGA Tour win. [Raleigh CC, Raleigh, North Carolina].
America
x
Played as the Venice Ladies Open. Clifford Ann Creed and Gloria Ehret finished in second place behind Whitworth.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her third straight Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her second straight LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.
Majors
x
The Women's Western Open (38th) (last year as a major championship). Second-placed Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 3 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Pekin CC, Pekin, nr Peoria, IL].
America
x
Played as the St Louis Open. Carol Mann finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Ladies World Series of Golf. Carol Mann finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Tall City Open. Mickey Wright finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
Carling
Played as the Lady Carling Open. Second-placed Peggy Wilson (USA) finished 3 shots behind Whitworth (USA), who recorded her third straight LPGA Tour win in as many weeks. [Turf Valley CC, Ellicott City, Maryland].
America
Carling
Played as the Lady Carling Open. Second-placed Carol Mann (USA) finished 1 shot behind Whitworth (USA). [Pleasant Valley CC, Sutton, Massachusetts].
America
x
Played as the Clayton Federal Invitational. Shirley Englehorn finished in second place behind Whitworth.
Played as the Laguna Invitational. Susie Maxwell finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Las Cruces Ladies Open. Marilynn Smith finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
Jaycee
Played as the Milwaukee Jaycee Open. Sandra Haynie finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
Supertest
Played as the inaugural Supertest Ladies Open. Mickey Wright (USA) finished in second place behind Whitworth (USA). [Sunningdale GC, London, Ontario].
America
x
Played as the Amarillo Ladies Open. Mickey Wright finished in second place behind Whitworth.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won the inaugural LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her second straight Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won her second straight LPGA Tour Money List, with 1966 season earnings of $33,517 on the Tour. Sandra Haynie (USA) was second on the money list.
Majors
x
Played as the Titleholders Championship (27th) for the last time until 1972. Second-placed Mary Mills (USA) and Judy Kimball (USA) finished 2 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Augusta CC, Augusta, GA].
America
x
Played as the St Petersburg Women's Open. Second-placed Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 4 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Sunset G&CC, St Petersburg, Florida; now called Vinoy GC].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won the Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Whitworth (USA) won the LPGA Tour 1965 Money List, with earnings of $28,658 on the Tour. Marlene Hagge (USA) was second on the money list.
Majors
x
Played as the Titleholders Championship (26th). Second-placed Peggy Wilson (USA) finished 10 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Augusta CC, Augusta, GA].
America
x
Played as the Mickey Wright Invitational. Donna Caponi finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
Carling
Played as the Lady Carling Midwest Open. Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 1 shot place behind Whitworth (USA). [Walnut Hill CC, Columbus, Ohio, which permanently closed in 2012].
America
x
Played as the Yankee Open (July 16-18). Second-placed Carol Mann (USA) finished 2 shots behind Whitworth (USA). [Atlas Valley CC, Grand Blanc, nr Flint, Michigan].
America
x
Played as the Bluegrass Ladies Invitational. Clifford Ann Creed finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Shreveport Kiwanis Invitational. Patty Berg finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Buckeye Savings Invitational. Susie Maxwell finished in second place behind Whitworth. This was the third straight win for Whitworth in as many weeks.
America
Civitan
Played as the San Antonio Civitan Open. Marlene Hagge (USA) finished 3 shots behind defending champion Whitworth (USA). [Pecan Valley GC, San Antonio, Texas. This course is now closed].
America
x
Played as the Mary Mills Mississippi Gulf Coast Invitational. Mickey Wright finished second to Whitworth.
America
Civitan
Played as the San Antonio Civitan Open. Whitworth (USA) beat Mickey Wright (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Pecan Valley GC, San Antonio, Texas. This course is now closed].
America
x
Played as the Spokane Open. Marilynn Smith finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Ogden Ladies Open. Mickey Wright finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Carvel Ladies Open. Marilynn Smith finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
Jaycee
Played as the Milwaukee Jaycee Open. Louise Suggs and Jackie Pung finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Hillside Ladies Open. Mickey Wright finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
x
Played as the Wolverine Open. Betsy Rawls finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
Kelly Girls
Played as the Kelly Girls Open. Second-placed Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 1 shot behind first-time LPGA Tour winner Whitworth (USA). [Turf Valley CC, Ellicott City, Maryland].
America
x
Played as the Thunderbirds Tourney. Mickey Wright finished in second place behind Whitworth.
America
Haig Scotch
Played as the Haig & Haig Scotch Mixed Foursome (two-person team event; one PGA Tr, one LPGA Tr). Winning team: Mason Rudolph (USA) & Kathy Whitworth (USA). Second place: Gardner Dickinson (USA) & Murle Lindstrom (USA). [Co-hosted by Pinecrest Lakes GC (now Pinecrest GC), Avon Park, FL and Harder Hall GC, Sebring, FL].
The Sentry: known for many years as the Tournament of Champions, the PGA Tour’s 2025 season-opener gets underway on Kapalua’s Plantation course (Jan 2-5). Chris Kirk defends.
Tournament of Champions: the LPGA Tour’s 2025 season is launched at Lake Nona with the their Tournament of Champions (Jan 30-Feb 2). The 2024 edition gave Lydia Ko her 20th LPGA Tour title.
Attahya Thitikul: also known as “Jeeno”, the Thai golfer won the LPGA Tour’s 2024 CME Group Tour Championship … and an eye-watering $4 million, the richest first-prize in women’s golf.
Rory McIlroy: scooped the 2024 European (DP World) Tour season-long Order of Merit title, joining Seve Ballesteros as a six-time winner of this prestigious award.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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