Undoubtedly the proficient golfer in story to graduate from college Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in physics and math , Betsy Rawls win 55 event in her LPGA Tour calling . Four of those came in the U.S.Women ’s Open , a record she shares with Mickey Wright .
Rawls take up play golf game when she was 17 . Four geezerhood later on , in 1949 , she pull ahead the first of two uncoiled Texas Amateur championship .
After completing her study at the University of Texas , Rawls decide her future was in professional golf game , even though the LPGA Tour was just getting off the ground and purses were low .
Rawls ' first victory add up in the 1951 U.S. Women ’s Open , where she finished five strokes ahead of Louise Suggs .
Jackie Pung was the victim in both of Rawls ' next two Women ’s Open triumph . In 1953 , Rawls succeed an 18 - hole playoff , 71 - 77 . Pung was an evident success in 1957 , but she was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard , pass on the triumph to Rawls .
Rawls win her fourth surface in 1960 thanks largely to a third - round 68 , which draw the existing 18 - hole criminal record .
Rawls bring home the bacon four other major title of respect : the Western Open in 1952 and 1959 and the LPGA Championship in 1959 and 1969 . She gain at least one tournament in every yr from 1951 - 65 , and she claim her last victory in 1972 at the age of 44 .
In 1959 , Rawls won 10 events , a individual - season aggregate improve by only Wright , and led themoneylist in 1952 and 1959 . She won the Vare Trophy in 1959 .
Not an exceptionally long hitter , Rawls ' force was her touch around the greens . Her life history victory amount ranks fourthly on the all - time LPGA list behind Wright , Kathy Whitworth , and Patty Berg .
After she retired from competitor in 1975 , Rawls became fighting in tournament administration . She was the LPGA ’s tournament theater director from 1976 - 81 and then became the executive music director of the McDonald ’s Championship . In 1980 , she became the first cleaning woman to answer on the rules committee for themen ’s U.S. Open .
