Kathy Whitworth Cause of Death, Net Worth, Biography, Husband, Age, Children, Family, Married

Kathy Whitworth Cause of Death, Net Worth, Biography, Husband, Age, Children, Family, Married. Record-Holder for U.S. Golf Victories Kathy Whitworth Passes Away at 83. Whitworth, a member of the golf hall of fame, was the first female professional golfer to earn more than $1 million.

What Happened to Kathy Whitworth?

The Associated Press reports that golf star Kathy Whitworth, who throughout her career amassed a record 88 victories on the LPGA Tour, passed away on Saturday at the age of 83.

Whitworth holds the record for the most professional golf wins with 88, six more than Sam Snead and Tiger Woods, who are tied for the top spot among men.

Kathy Whitworth Cause of Death

She was the first woman to reach $1 million in lifetime earnings on the LPGA in 1981, and she is now a member of the Women’s Sports Foundation Hall of Fame, the World Golf Hall of Fame, and the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Kathy Whitworth “died suddenly” while spending Christmas Eve with loved ones, according to a statement from her husband, Bettye Odle, who did not provide the cause of death. Additionally, no previous history of a chronic illness or disease has been discovered.

According to Odle’s statement, Kathy “leaves this world the way she lived it—loving, laughing, and making memories.”

Bettye Odle: Statement

“It is with a heart full of love that we let everyone know of the passing of the winningest Golf Professional ever, Kathy Whitworth. Kathy passed suddenly Saturday night celebrating Christmas Eve with family and friends. Kathy left this world the way she lived her life, loving, laughing, and creating memories.” – Bettye Odle, a long-time partner of Kathy Whitworth.

LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan: Statement

“The golf world and the world, in general, lost one of its most incredible women with the passing of Kathy Whitworth. Kathy was a champion in the truest sense of the word, both on the golf course and off. In the short time I spent with Kathy, I was truly blown away by her and her approach to the game and to life. Her strength, insightfulness, and vibrancy were obvious from the minute you met her! She inspired me as a young girl and now as the commissioner and I know she did the same for so many others. We all mourn with Bettye, her family, and the entire golf world.” – LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan

Kathy Whitworth Biography

American professional golfer Kathrynne Ann Whitworth died on December 24, 2022 (she was born on September 27, 1939). She was the most successful player on the LPGA Tour, having won 88 events throughout her playing career. She was the first woman on the LPGA Tour to collect $1 million in earnings during her career in 1981. The World Golf Hall of Fame includes her as a member.

Whitworth was born in Monahans, Texas, on September 27, 1939. Whitworth resided in Jal, New Mexico, the location of her father’s hardware business. When she was 15 years old, she started golfing. She won the New Mexico State Amateur Championships in 1957 and 1958. She was an Odessa College student. At the age of 19, she joined the LPGA and turned professional.

Kathy Whitworth Career

Whitworth won the Kelly Girls Open, her debut competition, in 1962. Six major titles in all were won by her. She won the Vare Trophy for the best scoring average by an LPGA Tour player a record seven times between 1965 and 1972, was named LPGA Player of the Year seven times between 1966 and 1973, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1975.

In 1965 and 1967, she received the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award. During the celebration of the 100th anniversary of golf in America in 1988, she was named “Golfer of the Decade” by Golf Magazine for the years 1968 to 1977.

For consistently exceptional contributions to golf, she was given the William Richardson Award by the Golf Writers Association of America in 1985.

In 1974, Whitworth won the Orange Blossom Classic. It was her fifth triumph in that tournament which was also known during its existence as the St. Petersburg Open. Only three other LPGA golfers have won the same tournament five times. Whitworth was the U.S. team captain at the inaugural Solheim Cup match in 1990.

After participating in the BJ’s Charity Classic, a competition on the Women’s Senior Golf Tour, Whitworth announced her retirement from competitive golf in 2005.

She is a fellow of the Women’s Sports Foundation Hall of Fame, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, and the New Mexico Hall of Fame. At the age of 83, Whitworth passed away on December 24, 2022.

Kathy Whitworth Husband

Whitworth retired from competitive golf in 2005 after competing in the BJ’s Charity Classic on the Women’s Senior Golf Tour. In 2007, with Jay Golden, she published Kathy Whitworth’s Little Book of Golf Wisdom. She died on December 24, 2022, at the age of 83. At the time of her death she lived in Flower Mound, Texas; she is survived by her partner, Bettye Odle.

Kathy Whitworth Net Worth

Kathy Whitworth has an estimated Net Worth of $200,000.