Kathy Whitworth, the winningest golfer in history, has died at age 83

Kathy Whitworththe winningest golfer in the history of the sport, has died at age 83. The Texas player, which dominated the LPGA Tours in the 1960s and 1970s, he achieved 88 victories on said circuit, an absolute record in professional golf dand the United States, as well as a 95-second spot, became the first woman to win $1 million on the LPGA, died on Christmas Eve, as her longtime partner pointed out. He is 83 years old. bettye odle He did not disclose the cause of death, saying only that Whitworth died suddenly Saturday night while celebrating with family and friends.

“It is with a loving heart that we inform everyone of the passing of the winningest golf professional in history, Kathy Whitworth. Kathy died suddenly on Saturday night while celebrating Christmas Eve with family and friends. Kathy left this world the way she lived, loved, laughed and made memories,” said B.Ettye Odle, partner of Kathy Whitworth; What Mollie Marcoux Samaan, the LPGA Commissioneradded on the LPGA Tour page: “The world of golf and the world in general has lost one of the most incredible women in the death of Kathy Whitworth. Kathy was a champion in the truest sense of the word, inside and off the golf course. In my short time with Kathy, I was truly impressed with her and her approach to the game and to life. Her energy, vision, and enthusiasm were evident from the moment I met her! She is the inspired me as a child and now as a commissioner and I know she has done the same for many others. We all mourn with Bettye, her family and the entire golf world.”

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Whitworth won the first of his 88 titles at el Kelly Girls Open in July 1962. He won six majors during his career and broke the record for Mickey Wright of 82 career wins when fired by Whitworth Mrs. Michelob in the summer of 1982. His last victory came in 1985 at United Virginia Bank Classic. “Winning never goes out of style,” Whitworth once said. The only thing missing from his career is the U.S. Women’s Openthe largest of the women’s majors.

As the first woman to surpass a million dollars in professional earnings in 1981, she did not hide: “I would have changed that I was the first to win a million to win the US Open, but it was a consolation that took some in the pain of not winning.”

Whitworth is the AP Female Athlete of the Year in 1965 and in 1967, when he easily defeated the Wimbledon singles champion Billie Jean King. Whitworth was included in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1982. He is the player of the year for LPGA seven times in eight years (1966 to 1973). He won Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average seven times and was the top earner in eight seasons. Wright won 82 times in LPGA Tour, while Sorenstam had 72 wins when he retired after the 2006 season at age 36. “I think Mickey has the best swing and probably the best golfer,” Betsy Rawls once told Golf Digest. “But Kathy is the best player in the game I’ve ever seen.”

Whitworth was born in monksa small town in West Texas, and learned to play golf New Mexico. Started at age 15 Jal, New Mexicoon a nine-hole course built for employees of El Paso Natural Gas. Soon he was a two-time winner of New Mexico State Amateur. After a short attendance College of Odessa (Texas)., turned professional at 19, joined the LPGA Tour in December 1958. “I was very lucky because I knew what I wanted to do. “, Whitworth once told ‘Golf Digest’ magazine. “Golf just grabbed me by the throat. I can’t tell you how much I love it. I used to think everyone knew what they wanted to do by the time they were 15.”

Wright has the most aesthetically pleasing swing. Whitworth won eight times in 1963 and 1965, and had 11 wins in 1968. In none of those years did he earn more than $50,000. Whitworth continued to hold youth clinics and remained active in the game. “I don’t think about the legacy of the 88 tournaments,” he once said. “I did it because I wanted to win, not set a record or a goal that no one else could beat. I’m not a freak. I was lucky to be successful. What I did to become a better player didn’t make me a better person . When they ask me how I want to be remembered, I feel that if people remember me, it will be enough,” he said.