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1939-
Winningest U.S. professional golfer

Whitworth was the first lady of golf.  George Tiedemann

Known as "the first lady of golf", Kathy Whitworth racked up 88 career victories, more than any other American, male or female, in professional golf history. Growing up in Jal, New Mexico, Whitworth learned the game from her father, Morris. As a student at Odessa (Texas) College, Whitworth won the New Mexico State Amateur Open in both 1957 and '58, and, at age 19, left school to turn pro. Under the tutelage of legendary teaching pro Harvey Penick, Whitworth joined the LPGA tour in December 1958. Four years later, she claimed her first tournament victory, The Kelly Girl Open in Baltimore, and the following year won eight tournaments. From then on, Whitworth, best known for her short game, was a force to be reckoned with. She was the LPGA's leading money-winner from 1965 to '73 and the first female golfer to earn a million dollars in prize money. In the course of her 33-year career, she was named LPGA Player of the Year seven times and won six majors. Additionally, Whitworth was a seven-time winner of the Vare Trophy, an award presented annually to the female golfer with the lowest scoring average.

In 1975, Whitworth was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame, and seven years later she joined the World Golf Hall of Fame. In 1989, Whitworth served as president of the LPGA. She said her final farewell to pro golf the following year, after captaining the U.S. to its first Solheim Cup victory. Today Whitworth, who is a contributor to Golf for Women magazine, is featured in instructional segments for The Golf Channel and runs the Kathy Whitworth Golf School for Women at Grand Cypress.

They Said it: " I've been fortunate to be blessed with good health and the ability to make a lot of putts. Best of all, I've been doing something I love to do." --Whitworth

-- Joan Truscio

Athletes were selected by Sports Illustrated For Women, Sports Illustrated and CNN/SI editors, writers and correspondents who considered the athletes' on-field performance and achievements, plus their contributions to women's sports. Because athletic achievement was a key criterion, women whose contributions were made solely in administration and coaching are not included.

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