Mary Mills (golfer)


Mary Mills is a retired American professional golfer. She became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1962 and won three major championships and nine LPGA Tour victories in all.

Amateur career

Mills was born in Laurel, Mississippi. She began playing golf at age 11 and her instructor was Johnny Revolta, an 18-time PGA Tour winner and PGA Championship victor. She won the Mississippi State Amateur eight consecutive years starting in 1954, and won the Gulf Coast Amateur twice. She was also medalist in the U.S. Girls' Junior, Western Junior, and the National Collegiate Championship. She attended Millsaps College where she was the No. 1 golfer – on the men's team – all four years.

Professional career

Mills turned pro and joined the LPGA Tour in 1962, and earned LPGA Rookie of the Year honors. She posted multiple wins in three different seasons on tour, and was in the top-10 on the money list five times, with a high finish of sixth in 1973. She won the U.S. Women's Open in 1963 and the LPGA Championship in 1964 and 1973. She finished in the top ten on the money list four times, with her best finish being sixth place in 1973. She continued playing a full LPGA Tour schedule into the 1980s. She also continued her education. A philosophy major at Millsaps, she returned to school in the 1990s to earn a master's degree in landscape architecture from Florida International University. She puts that degree to use these days designing golf courses. She is also a well-regarded golf instructor.

Professional wins

LPGA Tour wins (9)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner-up
1Jul 20, 1963U.S. Women's Open−3 3 strokes Sandra Haynie
Louise Suggs
2Sep 13, 1964Eugene Ladies' Open+1 3 strokes Sandra Haynie
3Oct 4, 1964LPGA Championship−6 2 strokes Mickey Wright
4Aug 15, 1965St. Louis Open−3 2 strokes Marlene Hagge
Carol Mann
5Sep 12, 1965Eugene Open+6 1 stroke Jo Ann Prentice
6Oct 19, 1969Quality Chek'd Classic−3 1 stroke Carol Mann
7Jun 28, 1970Len Immke Buick OpenE Playoff Althea Gibson
Sandra Haynie
8Jun 10, 1973LPGA Championship−4 1 stroke Betty Burfeindt
9Jul 1, 1973Lady Tara Classic−2 1 stroke Laura Baugh
Sandra Haynie
Sharon Miller
Judy Rankin

LPGA Tour playoff record
No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11970Len Immke Buick Open Althea Gibson
Sandra Haynie
Won with par on second extra hole
Haynie eliminated with birdie on first hole
21973Dallas Civitan Open Kathy WhitworthLost to par on second extra hole

Major championships

Wins (3)