2. Mickey Wright
Mickey Wright was only 34 when she retired in 1969. In addition to having
accomplished everything in the game, she cited health and burnout from the
pressure of being the face of women’s golf. “Everybody came out to see Mickey
Wright play golf,” commentator and former player Judy Rankin said, “and then
they discovered the rest of us.”Wright grew up playing La Jolla Country
Club, developing a swing that Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson considered the best
ever. Certainly, few golfers have played at the level Wright did from 1961 to
1964. In those four seasons, she won 44 tournaments, including eight
majors.
Her retirement mostly has been one of reclusion, adding to her myth
and legend. She played several times afterward—even winning the 1973
Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle. But players still talk of her in reverent
tones.
“She could have won 100 tournaments if she hadn’t quit early,” said
Kathy Whitworth, who won 88 LPGA Tour events.
Born: February 14, 1935
Major victories: 13
LPGA Tour victories:
82
Other achievements: 1952 U.S. Girls’ Junior
1. Tiger
Woods
2. Mickey
Wright
3. Billy
Casper
4. Phil
Mickelson
5. Juli
Inkster
6. Johnny
Miller
7. Gene
Littler
8. Amy
Alcott
9. Mark
O'Meara
10. Lawson
Little
