Mary Kathryn Wright, better known as “Mickey” started her golf techniques at the early age of 12. It was in 1952 that she won the U.S. Girls Junior, and in 1954 captured the World Amateur; she was the low amateur in the U.S. Women’s Open.
Mickey continued to strengthen her game, turned pro in 1955, and managed to maintain a healthy 26-year career. Within that 26 years with the LPGA Tour, Mickey captured many titles and set many records. She had a winning streak that lasted through 14 seasons (1956-1969). Kathy Whitworth is the only golfer to top that record, having a 17-season winning streak. Mickey shares the record of holding four titles. She won the U.S. Women’s Open 4 times, and is the only woman in the LPGA history to win the LPGA Championship 4 times. Mickey had the highest winning average on the Tour, gaining 79 of her wins in a 10-year period. She had a total of 13 wins in 1963 alone. This record may never be tied.
Mickey’s Tour career captured her 82 tournament wins, 13 of which were majors. In 1961, she took 3 of the 4 majors, and accomplished the career Grand Slam by the time she hit the age of 27. To date, she is one of a select group of 5 that have ever had double digit wins in a single season. Mickey stopped playing regularly in 1969.
Classified, by some, as the greatest female golfer that ever walked the course, Mickey Wright gained her spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame and the World Golf Hall of Fame. Even Ben Hogan claimed “she has the best swing I’ve ever seen.”
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