Betsy Rawls, winner of eight majors and 55 LPGA events, dies at 95

October 22, 2023 | by Golfweek

Betsy Rawls smiles after charging to a win at the $36,000 LPGA tournament<br> at Kiamesha Lake, New York, July 28, 1969. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)

The first player to win four U.S. Women's Opens, Rawls also finished runner-up as an amateur in 1950 at Rolling Hills CC in Kansas

by Beth Ann Nichols

Betsy Rawls, a four-time U.S. Women’s Open champion, died Saturday at 95, the USGA has confirmed. One of the most prolific winners in golf, Rawls transitioned from a playing career to tournament administrator in 1975, impacting the LPGA greatly both inside and outside the ropes.

Rawls won 55 times on the LPGA, including eight majors. Only Kathy Whitworth (88), Mickey Wright (82), Annika Sorenstam (72), Louise Suggs (61) and Patty Berg (60) won more.

“There are simply not many careers that can compare to Betsy’s,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan in a release. “Fifty-five wins, eight major titles, LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame, former LPGA president, Bob Jones Award winner. She was a legend in the game who would have been successful in anything she pursued, so we are all lucky she made golf her passion. RIP to a true champion.”

Read the full obituary including a retrospective photo gallery on Golfweek.com.

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