Kathy Whitworth, the winningest golfer in history, dies at 83

Kathy Whitworth blast out of a sand trap during the Women Titleholders Golf Tournament at Augusta, Ga., on Nov. 25, 1966. Whitworth, whose 88 victories are the most by any golfer, died on Saturday at age 83. (Horace Cort/AP)

Kathy Whitworth set a benchmark in golf no one has ever touched, whether it was Sam Snead or Tiger Woods, Mickey Wright or Annika Sorenstam. Her 88 victories are the most by any player on a single professional tour.

Whitworth, whose LPGA Tour victories spanned nearly a quarter-century and who became the first woman to earn $1 million for her career on the LPGA, died on Christmas Eve, her longtime partner said. She was 83.