American · San Diego, California · Born 14 February 1935American professional golfer who dominated women's golf in the early 1960s, winning 82 LPGA Tour events including 13 major championships.
Mary Kathryn Wright was born in San Diego, California in 1935 and became the greatest female golfer of the 1960s — winning 82 LPGA titles (2nd only to Kathy Whitworth's 88) and 13 major championships across a remarkable career. She turned professional in 1955. Her 13 majors: US Women's Open (1958, 1959, 1961, 1964), LPGA Championship (1958, 1960, 1961, 1963), Titleholders Championship (1961, 1962) and Western Open (1962, 1963). She won the US Women's Open 4 times — the joint record with Betsy Rawls. She won 4 consecutive LPGA Player of the Year awards (1960–1963). She won 4 consecutive tournaments on multiple occasions — the most sustained period of tour dominance in women's golf history. Ben Hogan described her swing as the finest he had ever seen in any golfer, male or female — an extraordinary endorsement. She retired from full-time competitive golf in 1969 due to foot problems and a desire for privacy, playing only the US Women's Open from 1973 onward. She died in February 2020 aged 85. She is widely considered the most technically accomplished female golfer in the history of the sport.
Dominant LPGA golfer of late 1950s and 1960s, considered one of greatest female golfers
How They Played
Powerful, precise swing with exceptional accuracy and distance control
Lasting Impact
13 major championships, 82 LPGA Tour wins, revolutionized women's golf with powerful swing
Career Honours
- US Women's Open 1958, 1959, 1961, 1964
- LPGA Championship 1958, 1960, 1961, 1963
- Titleholders Championship 1961, 1962
- Western Open 1962, 1963
- LPGA Player of Year 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963
- 82 LPGA Tour wins (2nd all-time)
American Athletes