American · Monahans, Texas · Born 27 September 1939 · Died 2022-12-24American golfer holding the record for most professional tour wins in golf history - 88 LPGA Tour victories, more than any male or female player ever.
Kathrynne Ann Whitworth was born in Monahans, Texas in 1939 and won 88 LPGA Tour titles — more victories than any professional golfer in history, male or female, including Sam Snead and Tiger Woods. She turned professional in 1959 and played competitively until 1991, winning 6 major championships: LPGA Championship (1967, 1971, 1975), Titleholders Championship (1965, 1966) and Western Open (1967). She won the LPGA Player of the Year award 7 times and the Vare Trophy (lowest scoring average) 7 times. She won at least once on tour in every season from 1962 to 1978 — 17 consecutive winning seasons. She never won the US Women's Open — the most notable gap in a record of otherwise extraordinary completeness. She was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1982. She served as LPGA Tour president and commissioner. Her 88 victories surpassed Mickey Wright's mark of 82 in 1982. The fact that her record is less celebrated than Sam Snead's 82 — despite exceeding it — has been cited as an example of the historical undervaluation of women's sporting achievement. She died in December 2022 aged 83.
All-time record 88 professional tour wins (men or women)
How They Played
Consistent ball-striker with exceptional competitive temperament
Lasting Impact
All-time LPGA Tour wins leader, dominated women's golf in 1960s-70s
Career Honours
- 88 LPGA Tour wins, all-time record
- 6 major titles
- LPGA Player of the Year 7x
- World Golf Hall of Fame 1982
American Athletes