Ava Romero
Mary Kathryn Mickey Wright, born on February 14, 1935, in San Diego, California, is considered the greatest female golfer of all time. She won 82 LPGA Tour career events, including 13 major championships, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1976. Mickey Wright was a very private person and likely never married. There are no records of a husband, but her golfing achievements left an indelible mark on the LPGA and the sport as a whole.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marital status | Likely unmarried |
| Number of wins | 82 |
| Number of major championship wins | 13 |
| Date of birth | February 14, 1935 |
| Date of death | February 17, 2020 |
| Place of death | Florida |
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What You'll Learn
Mickey Wright's relationship status
Mary Kathryn "Mickey" Wright, born on February 14, 1935, in San Diego, California, was an American golfer with an impressive list of achievements. She is widely considered the greatest female golfer of all time and was ranked as the ninth greatest golfer of all time by Golf Digest magazine in 2000. She won 82 LPGA Tour career events, including 13 major championships, and was a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Mickey Wright was a very private person and there is no record of her ever being married. She was, however, known to have had a longtime companion named Peggy Wilson, a former LPGA player. Wright passed away on February 17, 2020, in Florida at the age of 85.
Wright began golfing at the age of 11 and won her first important title, the U.S. Girls' Junior, at 17. She attended Stanford University but left before graduating to turn professional in 1954. She joined the LPGA Tour in 1955 and quickly rose to the top, winning her first tournament in 1956.
Wright's powerful swing and 300-yard drives were a sight to behold, and she dominated the LPGA tour during her time. She won the U.S. Women's Open four times (1958, 1959, 1961, and 1964) and the LPGA Championship five times (1958, 1960, 1961, 1963, and 1965). She was the LPGA's top money winner until 1969 and set a record with 13 tour victories in 1963.
Despite her success, Wright retired from regular competition around 1969 due to foot issues and mental fatigue. She continued to compete sporadically into the 1990s, with her last win coming in 1973. Mickey Wright's legacy in the world of golf is undeniable, and her impact on the LPGA and women's golf will forever be remembered.
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Her golfing career
Mary Kathryn "Mickey" Wright was an American golfer born on February 14, 1935, in San Diego, California. She began golfing at the age of 11 and won the USGA Girls' Junior Championship at 17. She attended Stanford University, where she played for the golf team, but dropped out before graduation to turn professional in 1954.
Wright joined the LPGA Tour in 1955 and won her first tournament in 1956. She became one of the most successful players in the history of golf, with 82 victories in her career, including 13 major championships. She dominated the LPGA tour during her time, and her powerful swing was considered one of the best ever. Ben Hogan, a men's champion, assessed her swing as "the best ever". She won titles at the U.S. Women’s Open (1958, 1959, 1961, 1964), the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) championship (1958, 1960, 1961, 1963), and the Titleholders’ championship (1961, 1962). She also won the Vare Trophy for best year-long average on the LPGA tour five times (1960-1964).
Wright's success brought significant attention to the LPGA, and sponsors threatened to cancel their tournaments if she didn't play. She was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame in 1964 and, over the years, into several other halls of fame, including the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1976 and the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2017.
Wright withdrew from regular competition around 1969 due to foot issues and mental fatigue but continued to compete into the 1990s. Her last win was in 1973, and she passed away on February 17, 2020, at the age of 85.
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Her early life
Mary Kathryn "Mickey" Wright was born on February 14, 1935, in San Diego, California. She attended Herbert Hoover High School in her hometown and started golfing at the age of 11. Wright took part in clinics put on by a pro named Fred Sherman at Mission Valley Country Club in San Diego. She would later demonstrate her powerful drive at these clinics, wowing the crowds.
Wright's first important title was the 1952 U.S. Girls' Junior. She then went on to attend Stanford University, where she studied psychology and played for its golf team. However, she left the university before graduating to pursue her golfing dream. Wright won the World Amateur in 1954 and turned professional the same year.
Wright joined the LPGA Tour in 1955 and won her first tournament immediately in 1956. She went on to win 82 LPGA Tour career events, including 13 major championships. Her victories include the U.S. Women’s Open (1958, 1959, 1961, 1964), the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) championship (1958, 1960, 1961, 1963), and the Titleholders’ championship (1961, 1962).
Wright was a private person and was never married. She lived a reclusive life in Florida following her retirement from golf in 1969 due to foot issues and mental fatigue. She continued to play sporadically until 1973, capturing her final win that year.
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Her death
Mickey Wright, one of the greatest golfers of all time, passed away on February 17, 2020, at the age of 85. Her death came as a shock to the sports world, as she had been a legendary figure in golf for decades. Wright had been suffering from a heart ailment and had recently been hospitalized for a few weeks due to a bad reaction to her medication. She died of a heart attack in a nursing facility in Florida, where she had been recuperating.
Wright's death sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from the golf community and beyond. Many remembered her not just for her remarkable golfing career but also for her kind and generous spirit. She was known for her humility and grace, both on and off the course, and her willingness to help and mentor others. Despite her immense talent and success, she always remained down-to-earth and approachable.
In the days following her death, many of her fellow golfers, both past and present, shared their memories and paid tribute to her incredible impact on the sport. She was remembered for her elegant swing, her precision, and her unmatched strategy on the course. Her achievements, which include an impressive 82 career wins, served as an inspiration to generations of golfers.
Wright's funeral was a private affair, attended by her close friends and family. However, her legacy continues to live on through the Mickey Wright Scholarship, which she established to support young female golfers, and through the countless golfers she inspired and continues to inspire with her groundbreaking career. Her influence can be seen in the increased participation and success of women in golf, as well as the heightened recognition of the sport as a whole.
As one of the pioneers of modern golf, Mickey Wright left an indelible mark on the sport. Her death may have been a sad occasion, but her life and achievements continue to inspire and empower golfers and fans worldwide. Her contribution to golf is immeasurable, and she will forever be remembered as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Her graceful swing and humble spirit will forever be etched in the memories of those who knew and admired her.
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Her legacy
Mary Kathryn "Mickey" Wright, born on February 14, 1935, in San Diego, California, is considered the greatest female golfer of all time. She is remembered for her powerful hitting and flawless swing, which was described by Ben Hogan as the "best ever". Wright turned professional in 1954 and joined the LPGA Tour in 1955, winning 82 LPGA Tour career events, including 13 major championships. She was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame in 1964 and the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1976, solidifying her legacy as a golf legend.
Wright's dominance in the LPGA Tour during her prime is noteworthy. She won the USGA Girls' Junior Championship at the age of 17 and then claimed the World Amateur title in 1954. Her first LPGA Tour victory came in 1956, and she went on to win multiple titles each year from 1960 to 1963. In 1963, she achieved an impressive 13 LPGA wins in a single season, a record that still stands. Sponsors threatened to cancel their tournaments if she didn't play, demonstrating her immense value to the LPGA.
Wright's swing was a thing of beauty and power, capable of 300-yard drives. Her compact and fluid swing had a unique aesthetic and technical brilliance that charmed everyone in the golf world. Men's champions Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson considered her swing the best they had ever witnessed. Wright's talent and success inspired future generations of female golfers and elevated the LPGA to new heights during its early days.
Wright's impact on the sport extended beyond her playing career. She was a five-time recipient of the Vare Trophy for the best year-long average on the LPGA Tour from 1960 to 1964. She set records with her averages, lowering it further in 1964 to 72.46. Wright's final victory came in 1973 at the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle (now known as the Chevron Championship). She was also inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 and the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2017.
Wright's love for the game never faded, even after her retirement. She continued to hit balls from her porch and stayed connected to the golfing world through her memorabilia and interactions with other golfers. Her passion and talent left an indelible mark on the sport, and her legacy is celebrated and honoured by golf enthusiasts and organisations alike.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Mickey Wright was likely never married. There is no record of a husband.
Yes, Mickey Wright's longtime companion was Peggy Wilson, a former LPGA player.
Mickey Wright had 82 victories in her career, including 13 majors. She is considered the greatest female golfer of all time.
Mickey Wright won the U.S. Women’s Open in 1958, 1959, 1961, and 1964, the LPGA Championship in 1958, 1960, 1961, and 1963, and the Titleholders Championship in 1961 and 1962.
Mickey Wright left her entire estate to the USGA and asked that her ashes be placed beneath the bay window of the Mickey Wright Room in the USGA Museum.
