Mary Mills (born January 19, 1940) is an American former 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) LegendLPGA Tour major championships (3)Other LPGA Tour (6)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up1Jul 20, 1963U.S. Women's Open−3 (71-70-75-73=289)3 strokes Sandra Haynie Louise Suggs2Sep 13, 1964Eugene Ladies' Open +1 (70-68-75-76=289)3 strokes Sandra Haynie3Oct 4, 1964LPGA Championship−6 (68-69-72-69=278)2 strokes Mickey Wright4Aug 15, 1965St. Louis Open−3 (73-71-72=216)2 strokes Marlene Hagge Carol Mann5Sep 12, 1965Eugene Open +6 (75-74-73-72=294)1 stroke Jo Ann Prentice6Oct 19, 1969Quality Chek'd Classic−3 (70-73-70=213)1 stroke Carol Mann7Jun 28, 1970Len Immke Buick OpenE (73-74-69=216)Playoff Althea Gibson Sandra Haynie8Jun 10, 1973LPGA Championship−4 (73-73-72-70=288)1 stroke Betty Burfeindt9Jul 1, 1973Lady Tara Classic−2 (77-70-70=217)1 stroke Laura Baugh Sandra Haynie Sharon Miller Judy Rankin
LPGA Tour playoff record (1–1) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11970Len Immke Buick Open Althea Gibson Sandra HaynieWon with par on second extra holeHaynie eliminated by birdie on first hole21973Dallas Civitan Open Kathy WhitworthLost to par on second extra hole Sources:
Major championships Wins (3) YearChampionshipWinning scoreMarginRunner(s)-up 1963 U.S. Women's Open −3 (71-70-75-73=289)3 strokes Sandra Haynie, Louise Suggs 1964 LPGA Championship −6 (68-69-72-69=278)2 strokes Mickey Wright 1973 LPGA Championship −4 (73-73-72-70=288)1 stroke Betty Burfeindt
See also List of golfers with most LPGA major championship wins
References
External links
Mary Mills bio at golfcompendium.com