Four-Time U.S. Women's Open Champion Betsy Rawls Dies at 95

Remembered for a career boasting 55 LPGA tour victories, including eight major championships, Rawls served as a prominent tournament administrator and the LPGA president after her retirement from professional play.

• Betsy Rawls, a four-time U.S. Women's Open champion, long-standing tournament administrator, and former LPGA president, passed away at the age of 95 at her home in Delaware. She held an impressive record, boasting 55 LPGA tour victories, including eight major championships.
• Rawls initially trained to be a physicist at the University of Texas before turning her focus to golf after connecting with renowned swing coach Harvey Penick. Her early victories include winning the Texas Women's Amateur in 1949 and 1950 and finishing runner-up in the 1950 U.S. Women's Open.
• With her first U.S. Women's Open win in 1951, she initiated a strong career that spanned from 1951 to 1965, in which she won at least one tournament a year. Only Mickey Wright matches her Open victories. Wright often praised Rawls for her dedication to the game and lifetime contributions to golf.
• Rawls's successful track record extended beyond professional play, with her serving as the LPGA president in 1961 and 1962. After retiring from full-time competition in 1975, she served as a tournament director and later managed the LPGA Championship.
• Her achievements have been recognized with the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor by the USGA, and an induction into the LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame. She led the LPGA Tour money list in 1952 and 1959, also winning the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average in 1959.

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