Imagine shattering records, breaking barriers, and redefining a sport that has been male-dominated for centuries — that’s what these groundbreaking female golfers have achieved. Despite making up less than 25% of the golfing world, women have produced some of the game’s most iconic moments, from dominating major tournaments to inspiring new generations of athletes. But who are these women who made history, and how did they change golf forever?
Annika Sörenstam
Annika Sörenstam’s precision was legendary, earning her a remarkable 72 LPGA Tour victories and 10 major championships. She holds the record for the longest consecutive weeks at No. 1, with 158 weeks. Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003, she broke new ground for women in golf and inspired many with her success.
Mickey Wright
Her swing was so perfect that Ben Hogan called it the best he’d ever seen. She quickly became a legend in women’s golf, winning three times in her 1956 rookie year and going on to claim 82 LPGA Tour wins and 13 major championships. She once practiced for 17 straight hours in a day, reshaping the boundaries of athletic commitment.
Karrie Webb
Australia’s golfing gem, Webb, shined through the LPGA with 41 wins and seven majors, tying for 10th on the all-time wins list. She achieved the “Super Slam” by winning all five majors, earning her a spot in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2005 as its youngest living inductee. Her scholarship program has since supported many young Australian golfers.
Nancy Lopez
She took the golf world by storm in 1978, her rookie year on the LPGA Tour. Throughout her career, she secured 48 LPGA Tour victories and three major championships; the Nabisco Championship, the U.S. Women’s Open, and the LPGA Championship. Lopez’s charismatic personality on the course helped increase the visibility and popularity of women’s golf.
Patty Berg
Patty Berg wasn’t just a founding member of the LPGA – she was its heart and soul. She achieved 60 LPGA Tour wins, including 15 major championships. Berg’s impact on the sport extended beyond her victories; she conducted over 10,000 golf clinics, promoting and training future players. Her dedication to women’s golf has left a lasting legacy.
Babe Zaharias
An all-around athlete, she took the golfing world by storm, winning 10 major titles, including the U.S. Women’s Open, and became the first woman to compete in a PGA Tour event in 1938. She was the first woman to make the cut in a men’s PGA Tour event. Zaharias’s larger-than-life personality helped break down barriers for women in sports.
Lorena Ochoa
Her rapid rise in golf is extraordinary. In just seven years, she won 27 LPGA Tour titles. As Mexico’s first golf superstar, Ochoa dominated and inspired a new generation of Latin American players. Her early retirement to focus on family and philanthropy showed her values, proving success is about making a difference, not just trophies.
Kathy Whitworth
She holds the record for the most LPGA Tour wins, with a total of 88 victories and seven majors, including the U.S. Women’s Open and the LPGA Championship. This unmatched achievement in golf history is proof of her incredible skill, determination, and drive throughout her career. Whitworth’s legacy continues to inspire young players to believe in their own greatness.
Se Ri Pak
She secured five major championships, including the U.S. Women’s Open and the Women’s British Open, and has 27 LPGA Tour wins to her name. Her success sparked a golf craze in South Korea, leading to a growing number of talented Asian golfers today. Pak’s achievements opened doors for many, showing that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
Inbee Park
Park’s major championship success is remarkable, winning seven major titles. In 2013, Park achieved a historic feat by winning the first three majors. She made history at the 2016 Rio Olympics, becoming the first woman in 116 years to win a gold medal. Park credits her success to staying relaxed with longer putts, focusing on speed and line.
Lexi Thompson
She made her LPGA Tour debut in 2011 and quickly became famous for her game. She won 11 LPGA Tour, including one major championship, the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Thompson became the youngest LPGA Tour winner at 15. Her impressive performances have made her a prominent figure in women’s golf, and she continues to be a role model for young golfers.
Shanshan Feng
Shanshan Feng made history as the first Chinese golfer to win a major, adding 10 LPGA gains to her name. Her success has laid the groundwork for future players from China and has inspired many to play. Feng’s achievements highlight the importance of representation, showing that talent knows no boundaries and that anyone can succeed with hard work and dedication.
Stacy Lewis
Overcoming personal health challenges, Stacy Lewis emerged as a two-time major champion: in the LPGA Championship, and the Women’s British Open, along with the 13 LPGA Tour victories. Her story is a powerful reminder of how determination can lead to great achievements. Lewis’s journey has inspired many, proving that challenges can be overcome with perseverance and a strong will.
Louise Suggs
Louise Suggs started golf as a teenager in Atlanta, winning the Georgia State Amateur at 16 in 1940. Suggs dominated the North and South Women’s Amateur, in 1942, 1946, and 1948. She won 58 tournaments, including 11 majors, and played a key role in shaping women’s golf as a co-founder of the LPGA in 1950.
Cristie Kerr
Cristie Kerr began her LPGA Tour impact in 1996, winning her first tournament in just her second appearance. Her rookie season featured five wins, earning her Rookie of the Year. By 2007, she won two majors and was Rolex Player of the Year. She added the Women’s British Open in 2010 and her third major in 2015.
15 Iconic Female Golfers Who Made History