Mickey Wright started playing golf at the age of 12. She won several amateur tournaments, including the 1952 U.S. Girls Junior and the 1954 World Amateur. Wright turned professional in 1955 and won her first tournament in 1956. By 1961, she already had a tournament named after her, the Mickey Wright Invitational, which she won. Wright set the second longest winning streak in LPGA history with 14 years, winning at least one tournament a year. Between 1961 and 1964, Wright won 10 or more tournaments every year, joining only four other women to win double-digit tournaments in one season. Among these victories, Wright won four U.S. Women's Open championships, four LPGA Championships and, in 1962, at the age of 27, accomplished the career grand slam--holding all four major titles of the LPGA.
Wright was instrumental in the growth of the LPGA, serving as the LPGA president for two years, setting multiple golf and LPGA records and receiving many awards and honors. Wright is the only player to accomplish a career grand slam, one of two players to win four U.S. Women's Open Championships and held LPGA records for the lowest round (62), lowest nine-hole score (30) and most birdies in a round (nine). Wright has been honored in the World Golf Hall of Fame, received the Vare Trophy (low scoring average) five consecutive years, and received the 2010 Bob Jones Award, given in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship. Wright was also named the Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year 1963-1964 and the Greatest Female Golfer of the 20th Century by the Associated Press.
)
)
)
)
