LPGA Tour legend Mickey Wright has passed away at the age of 85.
One of the all-time leading golfers on the tour, Wright held her place amongst the top players in the history of the game despite retiring from full-time competition at the age of just 34.
Her collection of 13 Major titles is second only to the 15 won by Patty Berg, while the 82 tour wins she amassed is also second in the roll of honour which is led by Kathy Whitworth, who won 88 times.
"We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Mickey Wright,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan on learning of her passing.
“We lost a legend, but we may also have lost the best swing in golf history today. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.”
“We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Mickey Wright. We lost a legend, but we may also have lost the best swing in golf history today. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.” - @LPGACommish Michael Whan
MORE ⬇️ https://t.co/cNreBbUXDX— LPGA (@LPGA) February 17, 2020
Having joined the tour in 1955, Wright came into her own at the beginning of the 1960s when she won an incredible 44 times between 1961 and 1964.
Her consistency on tour was largely down to the fluidity of her swing, with the technique of the Californian widely regarded as the best in the game.
This was referred to by Katy Whitworth, who said her passing was a tremendous source of sadness as she had lost a "very dear friend".
"Today, the golf world lost one of its greatest champions," the 88-time tour winner said.
"And today, I lost a very dear friend. I owe a great deal to Mickey Wright. She contributed so much to my career success and to my life as well. What a blessing to play alongside Mickey. It was impossible to be around her without knowing she was someone very special.”
Wright's last round in competition came in 1995 at the LPGA International at Daytona Beach in Florida, where she finished with a birdie.
In 2012, Wright became the first woman - and just the fourth player ever - to have an exhibition at the USGA Golf Museum in Liberty Corner.
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