Paul Simons Partner Sparks Death Rumors. I almost quit because I was playing so bad, Whitworth said. After college, he worked as a newspaper reporter, first for the (Marthas) Vineyard Gazette, later for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Whitworth, who along with Mickey Wright gave the game golfs greatest rivalry, passed away suddenly on Saturday evening, December 24, while celebrating Christmas Eve with friends. Her first teacher was Hardy Loudermilk, the pro at Jal, who was friends with Austin's Harvey Penick. The standards she set were unreasonable to everyone except her. I'm glad when I look back on it that I didn't succeed right away, Whitworth said. Whitworth, whose LPGA Tour victories spanned nearly a quarter-century and who became the first woman to earn $1 million on the LPGA, died on Christmas Eve, her longtime partner said. Kathy Whitworth was born as Kathrynne Ann Whitworth on September 27, 1939, in Monahans, Texas. Shes got skin in the game. Harvey talked about taking dead aim. In a Interview withLos Angeles Times, Kathy mentioned that she always had a fear of losing her identity of a golf player if she became married. Bettye and Whitworth were longtime partners, and they had been fond of each other for the last 20 years. Whitworths 88 wins on the LPGA tour including six major championships was more than the record held by Sam Snead and Tiger Woods for the mens game. All told, there were 88 LPGA wins. I point to the second [victory] as the one that made the first one not just a fluke, Whitworth said. Kathy Whitworth is an American professional golfer, probably one of the best golf players born to date. Fellow golfer Annika Sorenstam, called Whitworth LPGA's all-time victory leader and "total class act" who will be dearly missed. She became the LPGA golfer in 1981 to reach $1 million in career earnings. Kathy Whitworth set a benchmark in golf no one has ever touched, whether it was Sam Snead or Tiger Woods, Mickey Wright or Annika Sorenstam. I shouldnt have gone in the first place, that was my big mistake. Whaley found herself so awestruck playing alongside Whitworth once on the LPGA that she couldn't. Hardy thought I needed to see Harvey. Kathy Whitworth, one of the greatest golfers in history with 88 wins on the LPGA Tour spanned nearly a quarter century and becoming the first woman to earn $ 1 million in her career span died suddenly on Christmas Eve. Dont give somebody more than two things to work on at a time. But I loaded Bettye up. But K-Whits fondness for Sam did not extend to J.C., a taciturn (some would say grumpy) man. Kathy Whitworth and Mickey Wright in 1995. If theres a hole in her professional resume it is this: like Phil Mickelson and Sam Snead and Nancy Lopez, Kathy Whitworth never won her national championship. It's the longest such streak in LPGA history. Her final victory came in 1985 at the United Virginia Bank Classic. If you love the sports of Luxury people, thengolfer Kathy Whitworthmust not be a new name to you. Doug Ferguson Dec 25, 2022, 09:47 PM EST Inside the dining room the wall opposite the windows appears at first to be a shrine to the rich golf history of a state that gave the game Hogan, Byron Nelson and Babe Zaharias, among others. Whitworth won the 1957 and 1958 New Mexico State Amateur Championships after working with Hardy Loudermilk. The American professional golfer was born in Monahans, Texas, USA on September 27, 1939. The first time I saw Harvey, he changed my life forever. I take full responsibility for that loss.. Writing has always been my hobby. You dont start the downswing from the top. "Kathy left this world the way she lived her life, loving . She was 83 years old. Kathys motto is more basic yet: Let it go. Shes put ruts in Texas 121, the straight-shot highway that takes her from her house to the Mira Vista Country Club in Fort Worth, where the Kathy Whitworth Invitational, a national junior tournament for girls, is played each March. Kathy refers to her late father, the former mayor of Jal, New Mexico, and the owner of a hardware store there, as Dad. Meg Mallon the US team captain with assistant captain Beth Daniel during the 2013 Solheim Cup at The Colorado Golf Club on August 13, 2013 in Parker, Colorado. She was a giant on the LPGA in the 1960s and 1970s, but her competitive career stretched from the 1950s in the 1980s. Whitworth was also a runner-up 93 times, giving her 181 top-two finishes. Paul Simons Partner Sparks Death Rumors, Homestead Rescue Season 10 Episode 2: Release Date, Spoilers & Where To Watch, The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13 Episode 5: Release Date, Recap & Streaming Guide. Hey, I'm Srijita Saha. Kathrynne Ann Whitworth (September 27, 1939 - December 24, 2022) was an American professional golfer. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. On this note, she once said, I wanted to be a golfer. She inspired me as a young girl and now as the commissioner and I know she did the same for so many others. I did it because I wanted to win, not to set a record or a goal that no one else could surpass. She followed with particular interest the golfing exploits of the Korda sisters at that Open, as well as Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lang, among other KWI alumnae. She retired from competitive golf in Most pros, if they have a kid with some talent, they want to hold on to that kid. [5] At the time of her death she lived in Flower Mound, Texas with her partner, Bettye Odle. [4][6], In 1962, Whitworth won her first tournament, the Kelly Girls Open. Before getting into that, lets learn about Kathy Whitworths prominence in the sports field. Through those twenty-five years they played golf with and against each other in the public domain. She was wonderful to play with sweet as she could be, nice to everybody but oh, man, she berated herself something awful. Harvey gave me a molded grip. A 45-year-old Exeter man has been identified as the victim who died over the weekend after being stabbed. Unfortunately, she recently passed away on February 17, 2020. Thats when I became a golfer. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2f2f9569b97e80 . She was the youngest child of her parents. [4][7] Between that and her victory in the United Virginia Bank Classic in 1985, she won 88 tournaments on the LPGA Tour, the highest number of any player, including on the men's PGA Tour. (She and Kathy speak every day.) But eventually one event did come to mind. While still in high school, Kathy and Mother made a series of trips in that green Plymouth to Austin, to see Harvey. Harvey Penick, of course. She drove it for a decade. There was reason during Whitworth's early LPGA seasons to think she was never going to win, let alone set a record that may never be broken. During her playing career she won 88 LPGA Tour tournaments, more than anyone else on the LPGA or PGA Tours. A seven-time Player of the Year and Vare Trophy winner, Whitworth finished second 95 times. Watch out! Kathy Whitworth set a benchmark in golf no one has ever touched, whether it was Sam Snead or Tiger Woods, Mickey Wright or Annika Sorenstam. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. He called him. The dining room at Trophy Club Country Club near Flower Mound, Texas, gazes upon the rolling hills and old oak trees through which two courses meander, one named for the club's most famous member, Kathy Whitworth, the other the lone design by the icon of Texas golf, Ben Hogan. She inspired me as a young girl and now as the commissioner and I know she did the same for so many others. Whitworth, whose LPGA Tour victories spanned nearly a quarter-century and who became the first woman to earn $1 million on the LPGA, died on Christmas Eve, her longtime partner said. Kathy Whitworth hoisting the Solheim Cup in 1990. Its been a few days since Kathy Whitworth died. Kathy Whitworth was born in Mohans, Texas. That night with friends, at dinner I said, When you throw a toy for the puppies, you let that arm go. The first time I saw Harvey, he changed my life forever. Whitworth was born in Monahans, Texas, but most of her childhood was spent in New Mexico. Whitworth also said she had to make some decisions to dedicate herself to professional golf. When Im asked how I would like to be remembered, I feel that if people remember me at all, it will be good enough., AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports. You gotta let those arms go. Olson was one shot back through 54 holes and played the final round through the grief wrought by the unexpected death of her father-in-law on the tournaments Saturday night. Wright won 82 times on the LPGA Tour, while Sorenstam had 72 wins when she retired after the 2006 season at age 36. The best I could be, and marriage and golf didnt mix., However, her sacrifice was not about giving up on her family. Along the way she tussled with Carol Mann, Judy Rankin and JoAnne Carner a Hall of Fame roster against whom she established her record number of wins. Follow us on Twitter @ForeGals and let us know how youre feeling about Meg Mallons challenge to the Tours dont ask-dont tell policy on the L-word. When we discuss her achievements, Kathy made it to the Womens PGA Championship thrice. I asked Kathy if Amys experience reminded her of anything from her own career. Kathy Whitworth in 1983 (left), shortly after win 84, and in 2021. Because of the same reason, Kathy Whitworth also didnt share any children. Staying in a hotel. Has Tension risen Between President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris? Part of HuffPost News. But we can change the things we think need changing., Then, after a brief pause: You should like yourself.. [4][9] She was the first LPGA player to earn $1million, in 1981. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Whitworth was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1982. Hall of Fame golfer Kathy Whitworth, who won more tournaments than anyone on the LPGA and PGA tours, died Saturday. On September 27, 1939, Kathy was born to Morris Whitworth and Dama Whitworth. There's just something that drives them. That was pretty okay, and her fans supported that throughout until her death. Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. Kathy Whitworth has logged a lot of weeks in Rochester, N.Y. I dont think about the legacy of 88 tournaments, she once said. In the 1960s, while the United States grappled with the mechanics of racial desegregation, Texan Kathy Whitworth famously faced down an Idaho hotel clerk who initially declined to accommodate Renee Powell and set the standard for interracial acceptance and equality within the professional ranks. Her admiration for Mickey Wright runs to her bones. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Kathy Whitworth won more tournaments on the LPGA Tour than any other golfer in tour history. She was 83. And they played as teammates although they werent paired in their subsequent (2002, 2003, 2005) Solheim Cup appearances. She was 83. Also Read:Who Is Mike Whites Partner? All these years later, the LPGA Tour total prize fund for 2023 will top $100 million. She was 83. Shed drive to Austin for a lesson, to El Paso for an exhibition, to wherever, for whatever. Note: Whitworth won the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle (now known as the ANA Inspiration) before it became a major championship. 2019 U.S. Womens Open: Without Charleston, no storms at Augusta, Marilynn Smith, 1929-2019: Have Clubs, Will Travel. What I did in being a better player does not make me a better person. Whitworth started playing tennis and picked up golf at the age of 14. In an interview, she once shared that doing the same would make her lose her identity as a golf player. "Kathy passed . Kathy Whitworths rumored husband, Bettye Odle, was saddened after the tragic death of his longtime partner. The legendary golfer once in an interview revealed that if she does marry she would perhaps lose her identity as a golf player. . Whitworth died suddenly Saturday night while celebrating Christmas Eve with family and friends, her longtime partner Bettye Odle said. The only thing she was dedicated to was her golf career which eventually earned her the success that she was meant for. When Whitworth talked about golf, it was with a passion that explained what drove her. She is single until today and living a happy life on her own. But closer inspection reveals the hardware was all earned by just one daughter of the Lone Star State Kathy Whitworth whose 88 LPGA victories are the most ever on a professional tour. Whitworth had eight victories in 1963, eight wins in 1965 and 11 victories in 1968, and in none of those years did she make more than $50,000. But Kathy was the best player of the game that I have ever seen.. The first of Whits 88 was notched in 1962 and the last in 1985. She was born as the youngest child born to Morris and Dama Robinson Whitworth. Kathy left this world the way she lived her life, loving, laughing and creating memories." - Bettye Odle,. Fortunately, her father and a couple of local businessmen subsidized Kathy with $5,000 a year for three years. I didnt handle it well. You learn by making mistakes and analyzing the round after the tournament and thinking back and saying, 'Ah, I should have. The LPGA is today a global tour that embraces diversity, but it hasnt always been so. Whitworth has won tournaments in three different decades. In Augusta, Ga. LPGA capitals to Kathy Whitworth. We never thought wed see her on tour because she was just so unpolished, Rawls said. She won at least one tournament every year from 1962 through 1978, with many big seasons in the mix: eight wins in 1965, nine in 1966, eight in 1967 and 10 in 1968. Whitworth, whose LPGA Tour victories spanned nearly a quarter-century and who became the first woman to earn $1 million on the LPGA, died on Christmas Eve, her longtime partner said. They had some challenges. Kathy Whitworth has an estimated net worth of $3 Million. She was a giant on the LPGA in the 1960s and 1970s, but her competitive career stretched from the 1950s in the 1980s. Annika Srenstam said of Lorena Ochoa, that by her presence on the womens golf stage and through her achievements and accomplishments, Ochoa helped the womens game reach a demographic we didnt see before. Certainly, seeing young Mexican children swinging golf clubs is the direct result of Lorena Ochoas highly visible presence in the game. Also Read:Who Is Brandon Flynns Partner? Despite being a combined 24 years older than the winning team of Beth Daniel and Johnny Miller, Kathy and J.C. managed to finish only five shots behind them, good for second place. Kathy Whitworth set a benchmark in golf no one has ever touched, whether it was Sam Snead or Tiger Woods, Mickey Wright or Annika Sorenstam. A five-day trip. Kathys golf stories are seldom about how she won this event or that one. Jetta has only one eye but gets along just fine. Start the Golf Season off right with InsideGOLF ($100 value - just $20). She began against Wright, Suggs and Betsy Rawls and finished with Nancy Lopez, Betsy King and Beth Daniel. J.C.s uncle is Sam, and over the years Kathy had barrels of fun with The Slammer at various clinics and receptions. Kathrynne Whitworth gets along fine, too. In 1965 and 1967, Kathy was Named as Associate Press Athlete of the Year. She won the same tournament again in 1958. Kathy passed away on December 24, 2022. Then again the next year. Mickey Wright was our Hogan.. Ai Miyazato has had the same impact on Japanese girls and Shanshan Fengs influence is felt throughout China. Explore More In Detail. She started playing golf late, at age 15, but by 1957, the year of her high school graduation, she was winning the New Mexico State Amateur. Whitworth, whose athletic features stretched over a 5-foot-9 frame, was born in Monahans, a tiny dot on the west Texas map. Kathys long-time partner made a very relatable yet tearful statement that said, Kathy this world the way she lived her life loving, laughing, and making memories. Even the LPGA paid her a tribute on its official Twitter page. Kathy would have become a Billionaire. From there she drove to Jal. From 1962 to 1985, Whitworth . She was. Kathy Whitworth, Winningest Golfer In History, Dies At 83 "Kathy left this world the way she lived her life loving, laugh and creating memories," said Bettye Odle, Whitworth's longtime partner, in a statement. Whitworth grew up in Jal, New Mexico, where she began playing golf at the age of 15. Mickey Kathryn Wright, is second in the list of series wins among woman. Snead was credited with a record 82 wins on the PGA Tour, a total Woods has since matched. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. I really didn't win it, she said with typical self-deprecation. Whitworth's cause of death was not disclosed by Bettye Odle; she simply said that he passed away unexpectedly Saturday night while celebrating with family and friends. She was. Her 88 victories are the most by any player on a single professional tour. (AP . Dont miss to subscribe to our new feeds, kindly fill the form below. She doesnt know many people in Jal anymore. Will Mallons public acknowledgement of her partnership finally bring the L-word out of golfs locker room? You have to learn how to win. Hed say, You swing from the ground up. You dont hear instructors saying that anymore.. For years, Kathy Whitworth would drive five hours to Houston for a golf dinner like you bop down to your 7-Eleven for a pint of Ben & Jerrys. Click to reveal Winning never got old, Whitworth once said. Whitworth, whose LPGA Tour victories spanned nearly a quarter-century and who became the first woman to earn $1 million. As LPGA Founder Louise Suggs said: Mickey was the greatest golfer, but Kathy was the greatest winner.. From 100 yards in she wasn't trying to get it close, she was trying to hole it, said Greg Sheridan, who caddied for Whitworth late in her career. Some one-two punch. I was really fortunate in that I knew what I wanted to do, Whitworth said. Updated: Dec 25, 2022 / 03:31 PM PST. Whitworth won at least one tournament every year from 1962 to 1978, a streak of 17 years. Kathy Whitworth, who constantly berated herself on the golf course even as she piled up championships, becoming the winningest professional golfer in history and the first female player . She started at age 15 in Jal, New Mexico, on the nine-hole course built for the El Paso Natural Gas employees. Whitworth was the AP Female Athlete of the Year in 1965 and in 1967, when she easily beat out Wimbledon singles champion Billie Jean King. But people are speculating that Whitworth died of natural causes due to her age. They split $120,000. Kathy left this world the way she lived her life loving, laugh and creating memories, Odle said in a statement released by the LPGA Tour. I held it all night. Kathy Whitworth for the whole of her life is unmarried. Talking about her love interest, Kathy Whitworth's partner at the time of her death was Bettye Odle. In 1986, Kathy lost the entire retirement fund of$388,000when Technical Equities Corporation declares bankruptcy. Check Out Here, Will You Get Another Stimulus Payment in 2023? On average, PGA earnings are a bit less than $1 million per annum, while LPGA, Euro, and other tours pay a bit less. Whitworth won the first of her 88 titles in the Kelly Girls Opens in July 1962. Wright had the more aesthetically pleasing swing. That was before the event had begun. Read Also: Demetrious Johnson Died At 61: Former NFL Player Cause Of Death Explained, Copyright 2021 The republic Monitor All Right Reserved. Her last great season was 1984 when she won three times, and her final victory came at the 1985 United Virginia Bank Classic. Your email address will not be published. [10][11][5], Whitworth was LPGA Player of the Year seven times between 1966 and 1973, won the Vare Trophy for best scoring average by an LPGA Tour player a record seven times between 1965 and 1972,[12] and was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame in 1975 and into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1982. Provided by Golf Channel "It is with a heart full of love that we let everyone know of. FILE - Kathy Whitworth of San Antonio, blast out of sand trap on 18th green and then sinks a 6-foot putt to go into the lead of the Women Titleholders Golf Tournament at Augusta, Ga., Nov. 25, 1966. Age-wise, she was 83. Who was Kathy Whitworths Partner at the time of her death? You start it from the bottom. The legend is sorely missed and remembered as the golf champion in history ever. We all mourn with Bettye, her family and the entire golf world. LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, REMEMBERING KATHY WHITWORTH GOLFS GREATEST WINNER. Everyone has stories about how Whitworth carried on a running dialogue with herself about how she didn't deserve to be a professional golfer. The Whitworth familys small, wood-frame home, on South Fourth Street in one of Jals first postwar developments, is still there, but nobody named Whitworth has lived there for years. That Trophy Club display sits in silent affirmation of Whitworths achievements, a fitting destination for an odyssey that began around that kitchen table in Jal and was always about substance over style. He has written a variety of books about golf and other subjects, the most recent of which is The Second Life of Tiger Woods. Kathy passed. Bettye Odle did not disclose a cause of death, saying only that Whitworth died suddenly Saturday night while celebrating with family and friends. I was really fortunate in that I knew what I wanted to do, Whitworth once told Golf Digest. Top 100 Courses in the U.S.: GOLFs all-new 2022-23 ranking is here! In Sylvania, Ohio. Drove there from Dallas, of course. ' It was a breakthrough, for teacher and student. Thus became a member of the New Mexico Hall of Fame, Texas Golf Hall of Fame, Texas Sports Hall of Fame and World Golf Hall of Fame. Theres only one. I got a call in the middle of the night, at the hotel, that Mother had died. After working with Hardy Loudermilk, she won the 1957 and 1958 New Mexico State Amateur Championships. Kathy Whitworth, who won more than anyone on the LPGA or PGA tours, died Saturday. Along the way, Whitworth served three stints as President of the LPGA Executive Board, where she helped shape policy and campaigned for the growth of the LPGA Tour. In the conversation, she added, I didnt give up a family, I decided I didnt want one.. LPGA prize money was never gaudy in her era and out of necessity the schedule had geographic logic built into it. A home life, backed by a soundtrack of barking dogs. Kathy Whitworth will be missed and is irreplaceable. I didn't have to back away.. [1] In 1981, she became the first woman to reach career earnings of $1 million on the LPGA Tour. Scott Halleran/Getty Images Kathy Whitworth smiling Her death was confirmed by her longtime. Players traveled by car, stayed in cheap hotels or with local families and did all the bookkeeping, scheduling and promotion for the Tour themselves. Whitworth's partner, Bettye Odle, added: "It is with a heart full of love that we let everyone know of the passing of the winningest golf professional ever, Kathy Whitworth. Turns out, you can have a rich and rewarding life without ever winning the U.S. Open. Fine. Kathy set aside Uncle Sams cut (dont get her started!) (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images). Longtime lover Bettye Odle confirmed that Whitworth died unexpectedly on Christmas Eve when she was visiting family and friends. Whitworth in 1982 was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. We will talk about that shortly! They played as foursomes and fourball partners in the 2000 Solheim Cup. In 1987, she was Presented with thePatty Berg Award. She made $1.7 million in her LPGA career. A lot of Kathy Whitworth stories feature Kathy Whitworth in a car, going here, coming from there. Simply, Kathy Whitworth got the ball into the hole faster than anyone else in her era and that made her golfs greatest winner. She was the U.S. team captain at the inaugural Solheim Cup match in 1990. Kathy Whitworth, the legendary golfer who today holds the record for most professional tournament wins on a single tour, has died at the age of 83. We had a pro at our nine-hole course in Jal, Hardy Loudermilk, she said. Kathy at 83 said her final goodbye leaving in shock everyone. Your IP: It was unacceptable for her to make a mistake. Number of Tour Wins and Major Championships, Golfer Betsy King: Profile and Stats of the LPGA Hall-of-Famer, 17 of the Best Golfer Nicknames of All-Time, Se Ri Pak: Profile of LPGA's Korean Trailblazer, Dottie Pepper: Bio of the Intense LPGA Major Winner, Amy Alcott: The Major Champion Who Took a Flying Leap, LPGA Founders: The 13 Women Who Created the LPGA, 8-time LPGA Tour money leader (1965-68, 1970-73), 7-time LPGA Vare Trophy (scoring) winner (1965-67, 1969-72), 7-time LPGA Player of the Year winner (1966-69, 1971-73), Associated Press Athlete of the Year, 1965, 1967, Captain, U.S. Solheim Cup team, 1990, 1992, Honoree at Jack Nicklaus' Memorial Tournament, 2002, Member, Women's Sports Foundation Hall of Fame, "There's an old saying, 'It's a poor craftsman who blames his tools.' [14] She is also a member of the New Mexico Hall of Fame, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, Texas Golf Hall of Fame, and the Women's Sports Foundation Hall of Fame. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Focus On Sport Two years after taking up the game at age 15, Whitworth won the 1957 New Mexico Women's Amateur, a success she repeated the next year. In an interview with a strong source, she was married, but she had to make a lot of sacrifices for her professional golf career. On the mentioned day, she was having a fun time at her neighbors Christmas party. Kathy Whitworth at the 1967 LPGA Midwest Open in Columbus, Ohio. The best I could be, and marriage and golf didnt mix.. Kathy Whitworth set a benchmark in golf no one has ever touched, whether it was Sam Snead or Tiger Woods, Mickey Wright or Annika Sorenstam. We can all be honest with ourselves, she said. Over the past 20 years, now and again, Kathy has tried to teach her partner, Bettye Odle, something about playing golf. Performance & security by Cloudflare. I thought, If I am going to [win], I can't back away. So I whipped it in there about 15 feet and made the birdie., That gave me a lot of confidence to think that I could play knowing I was in contention, she said. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Kathy also wrote a documentary Book Kathy Whitworths Little Book of Golf Wisdom in which the legendary golfer shares her life lessons. The fact was it was her decision not to have one. 5'9".Given name: Kathrynne Ann Whitworth.Began playing golf at the age of 15.A member of the President's Campaign Against Drug Abuse.Tutored by Harvey Penick and Hardy . Although the winningest golfer has a long-time partner Betty Odle. Kathy Whitworth lines up a putt, circa 1990. Theyre about how she and her contemporaries got on tour in the first place, and what they did there once they did. Whitworth, whose LPGA Tour victories spanned nearly a quarter-century and who became the first woman to earn $1 million for her career on the LPGA, died on Christmas Eve, her longtime partner said. Six were major championships. The Ladies Professional Golf Association reported on Sunday that Kathy Whitworth, the golfer with the most career victories, had passed away at the age of 83. Who Was Kathy Whitworth Partner? Kathy Whitworth, the winningest player in professional golf history, died suddenly on Christmas Eve with family and friends. Kathy and Bettye have two black lab mongrels from an animal shelter, Lillie and Jetta. I told the team that I had to fly home and I turned the reins over to one of my assistants. The Americans were trounced. She was 83 . Whitworth started in an era of 35-player fields competing for $7,500. He said, Its not the most important thing but its the first thing. He said, You place your hands on the club, you dont twist them. My mother was taking notes on a paper bag it was the only piece of paper we had.