written by Olivia Pennybaker

Mary Kathryn Wright, also known as Mickey, was born in San Diego, California on February 14th, 1935. She started her impeccable career off young, winning the 1952 United States Girls’ Junior Golf Championship. She then attended Stanford University where she played golf before pursuing a professional career. Wright joined the LPGA Tour in 1955 where she won an astounding eighty-two tournaments, putting her second on the all-time win list. Thirteen of her victories were major championships, again, placing her second all-time behind Patty Berg. From 1961-1964 she topped the LPGA Money List, and also won an event every season from 1956-1969, making her one of the most consistent players on Tour. From 1963-1964 she served as the President of the LPGA. Legendary men’s golfer, Ben Hogan, regarded her swing as one of the “greatest of all time.” 

Wright retired in 1969 but still continued making her impact known in golf. She continued supporting the USGA, even promoting their museum unveiling. Through her career, she helped garner media attention for the LPGA Tour, helping in any way she could to assure the future of the women’s tour. In 2000 she was named the ninth greatest golfer of all time by Golf Digest. In 2017 she was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame. Wright was always proud of the honors bestowed upon her, but shied away from the spotlight. She won the U.S. Women’s Open four times, and always loved the USGA. When she passed away in early 2020, Wright donated much of her golf memorabilia to the organization. Because of Wright’s impressive career and dedicated promotion of women’ golf, many fans would argue she is the greatest female golfer of all time.