The history of professional golf is rich with legendary figures, and the women’s game has produced some of the most dominant, charismatic, and groundbreaking athletes the sport has ever known. These are the titans who not only mastered the game but also built the LPGA Tour from the ground up, inspiring millions of women and girls to pick up a club.
Trying to rank them is an impossible task. Instead, this is a celebration of ten incredible legends who, through their unparalleled skill and profound impact, have shaped the history of women’s golf. Presented in chronological order, this selection honors the evolution of the sport, from its founding mothers to its modern-day superstars.
A Celebration of Golf’s Titans
Babe Didrikson Zaharias (1911-1956)
- Major Wins: 10
- LPGA Tour Wins: 41
Her Legacy: Arguably the greatest female athlete of all time, “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias was a force of nature. After winning two gold medals in track and field at the 1932 Olympics, she turned to golf and dominated. She was a co-founder of the LPGA Tour in 1950 and its biggest star. Her talent and showmanship drew massive crowds, single-handedly putting women’s professional golf on the map.
Patty Berg (1918-2006)
- Major Wins: 15
- LPGA Tour Wins: 60
Her Legacy: A fellow co-founder and the first president of the LPGA, Patty Berg was a fierce competitor and a lifelong ambassador for the game. Her record of 15 major championships is a benchmark of excellence that still stands as the most in the history of women’s golf. She was the cornerstone of the tour for decades, and her professionalism set the standard for generations to come.
Louise Suggs (1923-2015)
- Major Wins: 11
- LPGA Tour Wins: 61
Her Legacy: The third of the LPGA’s founding titans, Louise Suggs was known for her technically perfect swing and a steely, no-nonsense demeanor. She was one of the tour’s most dominant early players, capturing 11 major titles and becoming the first woman to complete the career Grand Slam. Suggs was a purist who helped establish the tour’s credibility through her world-class play.
Mickey Wright (1935-2020)
- Major Wins: 13
- LPGA Tour Wins: 82
Her Legacy: Many who saw her play will tell you that Mickey Wright had the most beautiful and powerful golf swing they had ever seen, male or female. Ben Hogan himself was a great admirer. Wright was a quiet and private person, but on the course, she was a dominant force, amassing 13 major championships and 82 LPGA victories, including an incredible 44 wins over a four-year stretch in the early 1960s.
Kathy Whitworth (1939-2022)
- Major Wins: 6
- LPGA Tour Wins: 88
Her Legacy: No one in the history of professional golf—man or woman—has won more officially recognized tournaments than Kathy Whitworth. Her record of 88 LPGA Tour victories is a staggering testament to her consistency and longevity. While she didn’t have a flashy personality, she was a relentless winner, capturing at least one tournament in 17 consecutive seasons.
Nancy Lopez (1957-Present)
- Major Wins: 3
- LPGA Tour Wins: 48
Her Legacy: What Arnold Palmer was to the men’s tour, Nancy Lopez was to the LPGA. With her infectious smile and incredible talent, she created a popularity boom for women’s golf in the late 1970s. As a 21-year-old rookie in 1978, she won nine tournaments, including five in a row, captivating the nation and becoming a household name.
Juli Inkster (1960-Present)
- Major Wins: 7
- LPGA Tour Wins: 31
Her Legacy: Juli Inkster is the icon of longevity in women’s golf. She is the only woman to win two majors in three different decades, a remarkable feat of sustained excellence. After a legendary amateur career, she turned pro and achieved the career Grand Slam, all while raising a family. Her fierce competitiveness and ability to contend across multiple eras make her a legend.
Annika Sörenstam (1970-Present)
- Major Wins: 10
- LPGA Tour Wins: 72
Her Legacy: Annika Sörenstam is the undisputed GOAT of the modern era. The Swede’s peak from 2001-2005 was a display of utter dominance, winning 43 times and eight of her ten majors. She is the only woman to shoot a 59 in a professional tournament and famously competed on the PGA Tour in 2003. With a powerful, metronomic swing and a killer instinct, she redefined what was possible in women’s golf.
Karrie Webb (1974-Present)
- Major Wins: 7
- LPGA Tour Wins: 41
Her Legacy: Hailing from Australia, Karrie Webb was the dominant force who bridged the gap between the Inkster era and the rise of Annika. She is a World Golf Hall of Fame member who completed the “Super Career Grand Slam”—winning five different events recognized as majors. Her fierce, competitive spirit carried her to victory all over the world.
Lorena Ochoa (1981-Present)
- Major Wins: 2
- LPGA Tour Wins: 27
Her Legacy: While her career was short, Lorena Ochoa’s peak was meteoric. The charismatic star from Mexico was the undisputed World No. 1 for 158 consecutive weeks. Before retiring at just 28 to start a family, she won 27 tournaments in just eight seasons on tour. Her dominance was so absolute that she is remembered as one of the most talented players to ever grace the game.
Inspired by the Greats? It’s Your Turn to Play.
Reading about the legends who shaped golf history is the perfect inspiration to work on your own game. Every great round starts with a single swing, and there’s no better place to perfect yours than at Hideaway Hills. Channel your inner Annika on the driving range or sink a crucial putt like Nancy Lopez on our practice green.
Ready to create your own legendary moments? Call us at (610) 681-6000 to book your tee time.