The Top Women Golfers of All Time: Breaking Barriers and Records

Golf has long been considered a male-dominated sport, but women have been making significant strides in the game for decades. From Babe Didrikson Zaharias, who broke down barriers in the 1940s, to Annika Sorenstam, who dominated in the 2000s, women golfers have made their mark on the sport.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the top women golfers of all time, their accomplishments, and the impact they’ve had on the game.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias

Babe Didrikson Zaharias was a trailblazer in women’s golf. Born in 1911 in Port Arthur, Texas, Zaharias began playing golf at a young age and quickly became a standout player. In 1932, she won the Texas Women’s Amateur Championship, and in 1935, she won the Women’s National Amateur Championship. Zaharias also excelled in other sports, including basketball, track and field, and baseball.

Despite her success on the golf course, Zaharias faced discrimination and was often denied entry to tournaments because of her gender. In 1945, she co-founded the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), which helped to create more opportunities for women golfers. Zaharias won 41 LPGA tournaments in her career, including 10 major championships. She was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1951.

Patty Berg

Patty Berg was another pioneer in women’s golf. Born in 1918 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Berg began playing golf at the age of 13. In 1935, she won the Minneapolis City Championship, and in 1938, she won the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. Berg turned pro in 1940 and went on to win 60 LPGA tournaments, including 15 major championships.

Berg was known for her consistency and her mental toughness. She was the first woman to shoot a score of 60 in competition and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1975.

Mickey Wright

Mickey Wright is widely regarded as one of the greatest women golfers of all time. Born in 1935 in San Diego, California, Wright began playing golf at the age of 11. She turned pro in 1955 and quickly established herself as a dominant player. Wright won 82 LPGA tournaments, including 13 major championships, and was known for her smooth swing and her ability to handle pressure.

In addition to her success on the golf course, Wright was also an advocate for women’s rights. She spoke out against the LPGA’s “female-only” rule, which required players to be “biologically female” and to provide proof of their gender. Wright was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1976.

Nancy Lopez

Nancy Lopez was a fan favorite during her playing career. Born in 1957 in Torrance, California, Lopez began playing golf at the age of eight. She turned pro in 1977 and won nine LPGA tournaments in her rookie season. Lopez went on to win 48 LPGA tournaments, including three major championships, and was known for her grace and her competitive spirit.

Lopez’s success on the golf course helped to bring more attention to women’s golf and inspired a generation of young girls to take up the sport. She was inducted into the World Golf Hall

Kathy Whitworth

Kathy Whitworth, born in 1939, won a total of 88 LPGA Tour events, more than any other professional golfer, male or female. She won six major championships and was known for her work ethic and her competitive drive. Whitworth played in every LPGA Tour event from 1962 to 1975, a streak of 299 consecutive events.

Whitworth was a true pioneer for women’s golf, helping to establish the LPGA Tour as a legitimate professional sports league. She was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1975 and received the Bob Jones Award in 2011. In addition to her playing career, Whitworth has also been an advocate for women’s golf and has worked to promote the game around the world.

Annika Sorenstam

Annika Sorenstam, born in 1970, is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers, male or female, of all time. She won 72 LPGA Tour events, including 10 major championships, and was the first woman to shoot a 59 in competition. Sorenstam was known for her consistency and her mental toughness on the golf course.

Sorenstam also broke barriers for women in golf, becoming the first woman in 58 years to play in a PGA Tour event when she played in the 2003 Bank of America Colonial tournament. She was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003 and has continued to promote women’s golf through her work with the ANNIKA Foundation, which aims to empower girls through golf.

Conclusion

These women, and many others like them, have helped to shape the game of golf and break down barriers for women in sports. Their accomplishments on the golf course have inspired generations of young girls to take up the sport and have helped to establish women’s golf as a legitimate professional sports league. As we continue to celebrate the achievements of these great golfers, we can also look forward to the next generation of women golfers who will continue to push the boundaries and inspire us all.