- Nancy Lopez
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Nancy Lopez Personal information Full name Nancy Marie Lopez Born January 6, 1957
Torrance, California, U.S.Height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) Nationality 
United StatesResidence Albany, Georgia, U.S. Spouse Tim Melton (1979–1982)
Ray Knight (since 1982)Children Ashley (b. 1983), Erinn (b. 1986), Torri (b. 1991) Career College University of Tulsa
(two years)Turned professional 1977 Retired 2003, unretired 2007 Current tour(s) LPGA Tour Professional wins 52 Number of wins by tour LPGA Tour 48 Other 4 Best results in LPGA Major Championships
(Wins: 3)Kraft Nabisco C'ship T3: 1995 LPGA Championship Won: 1978, 1985, 1989 U.S. Women's Open 2nd/T2: 1975, 1977, 1989, 1997 du Maurier Classic 2nd/T2: 1979, 1981, 1996 Women's British Open DNP Achievements and awards World Golf Hall of Fame 1987 (member page) LPGA Tour
Rookie of the Year1978 LPGA Tour
Money Winner1978, 1979, 1985 LPGA Tour
Player of the Year1978, 1979, 1985, 1988 LPGA Tour
Vare Trophy1978, 1979, 1985 GWAA Female
Player of the Year1978, 1979, 1985 Associated Press
Female Athlete of the Year1978, 1985 LPGA William and
Mousie Powell Award1987 Flo Hyman Memorial Award 1992 USGA Bob Jones Award 1998 Old Tom Morris Award 2000 Nancy Marie Lopez[1] (born January 6, 1957) is an American professional golfer. She became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1977 and won 48 LPGA Tour events during her LPGA career, including three major championships.
Contents
Amateur career
She won the New Mexico Women's Amateur at age 12, and the U.S. Girls' Junior in 1972 and 1974, at ages 15 and 17, respectively. Playing in the U.S. Women's Open as an 18-year-old amateur in 1975, she finished tied for second. In 1976, Lopez was named All-American and Female Athlete of the Year for her play at the University of Tulsa. She won the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) National Championship and was a member of the U.S. Curtis Cup and World Amateur teams. She left college after her sophomore year and turned pro in 1977. That year she finished second again in the U.S. Women's Open.[2]
Professional career
In 1978, her first full season on the LPGA Tour, Lopez won nine tournaments, including at one stretch, five tournaments in a row. She appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, won the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average, LPGA Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year and was named the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year. She won another eight times in 1979. She won multiple times in each year from 1980 to 1984, although she played only half-seasons in 1983 and 1984 due to the birth of her first child.[2]
Playing full time again in 1985, Lopez posted five wins, five seconds and five thirds, won the money title, the scoring title and the Player of the Year Award. She was also named Associate Press Female Athlete of the Year for a second time. She played only four tournaments in 1986, when her second daughter was born. But came back to win multiple times in 1987-89 - three times each in 1988 and 1989 - and once again won Player of the Year honors in 1988. Her schedule was curtailed again in the early 1990s when her third daughter was born. In 1992 she won twice. She continued to play short schedules - from 11 to 18 tournaments - through 2002, then in 2003 cut back to just a half dozen or fewer events a year.[2]
Although considered one of the greats in the history of women's golf, and the best player from the late '70s to late '80s, Lopez did not win many majors and never won the U.S. Women's Open. She finished second at the U.S. Women's Open four times, the last coming in 1997 when she became the first golfer to score in the 60s for all four rounds, yet she still lost to Alison Nicholas. Her three major championships all came at the LPGA Championship, in 1978, 1985, and 1989.[2]
Lopez was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1987. She was a member of the United States Solheim Cup team in 1990 and was captain of the team in 2005. She retired from regular tournament play in 2002, and then attempted a return in 2007 and 2008. In her return season, she played six tournaments, failed to make the cut in any of the tournaments and only broke 80 in three of the 12 rounds.[2] In 2008 she played in three events, with a low score of 76, never making the cut.
Lopez is the only woman to win LPGA Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year, and the Vare Trophy in the same season (1978). Her company, Nancy Lopez Golf, makes a full line of women's clubs and accessories. She also does occasional television commentary. Her husband, Ray Knight, is a former All-Star baseball player.[2]
Amateur wins
this list may be incomplete
- 1969 New Mexico Women's Amateur
- 1970 New Mexico Women's Amateur
- 1971 New Mexico Women's Amateur
- 1972 U.S. Girl's Junior, Women's Western Junior
- 1973 Women's Western Junior
- 1974 U.S. Girl's Junior, Women's Western Junior
- 1975 Mexican Amateur
- 1976 AIAW National Championship, Women's Western Amateur, Women's Trans National Amateur
Professional wins
LPGA Tour wins (48)
No. Date Tournament Winning Score Margin of
VictoryRunner(s)-up 1 Feb 26, 1978 Bent Tree Classic +1(71-72-73-73=289) 1 stroke Jo Ann Washam2 Mar 12, 1978 Sunstar Classic -3 (72-72-70-71=285) 1 stroke Debbie Austin, Debbie Massey3 May 14, 1978 Greater Baltimore Classic -7 (67-73-72=212) 3 strokes Donna Caponi4 May 21, 1978 Coca-Cola Classic -3 (69-71-70=210) Playoff JoAnne Carner5 May 29, 1978 Golden Lights Championship (New York) -11 (67-72-73-65=277) 1 stroke Jane Blalock6 Jun 11, 1978 LPGA Championship -13 (71-65-69-70=275) 6 strokes Amy Alcott7 Jun 18, 1978 Bankers Trust Classic -5 (72-73-69=214) 2 strokes Jane Blalock, Debbie Massey8 Aug 6, 1978 Colgate European Open -7 (73-71-72-73=289) 3 strokes JoAnne Carner, Mary Dwyer,
Sally Little9 Nov 12, 1978 Colgate Far East Open Even (75-69-72=216) 2 strokes 
Silvia Bertolaccini, Kathy Whitworth10 Mar 11, 1979 Sunstar Classic -8 (70-71-70-69=280) 1 stroke Hollis Stacy11 Mar 25, 1979 Sahara National Pro-Am -16 (72-67-66-69=274) 2 strokes Donna Caponi12 May 6, 1979 Women's International -6 (72-71-71-68=282) 3 strokes Donna White13 May 20, 1979 Coca-Cola Classic -3 (73-70-73=216) Playoff Bonnie Bryant, Hollis Stacy,
Jo Ann Washam, Mickey Wright14 Jun 3, 1979 Golden Lights Championship -8 (67-70-73-70=280) 4 strokes Pat Bradley15 Jun 24, 1979 Lady Keystone Open -4 (72-68-72=212) 2 strokes Sally Little, Kathy Whitworth16 Aug 5, 1979 Colgate European Open -6 (68-69-70-75=282) 4 strokes Joyce Kazmierski17 Sep 30, 1979 Mary Kay Classic -14 (71-66-67-70=274) 2 strokes 
Sandra Post18 Mar 30, 1980 Women's Kemper Open Even (72-66-77-69=284) 2 strokes Debbie Massey, Jo Ann Washam19 Jun 29, 1980 The Sarah Coventry -9 (73-67-72-71=283) 1 stroke Pat Bradley20 Sep 1, 1980 Rail Charity Golf Classic -13 (65-71-71-68=275) 1 stroke JoAnne Carner21 Mar 8, 1981 Arizona Copper Classic -14 (70-72-68-68=278) 4 strokes Pat Bradley22 Apr 5, 1981 Colgate-Dinah Shore -11 (71-73-69-64=277) 2 strokes Carolyn Hill23 Jun 28, 1981 The Sarah Coventry -3 (74-69-71-71=285) 2 strokes Pat Bradley24 Mar 21, 1982 J&B Scotch Pro-Am -5 (70-67-69-73=279) 5 strokes Sandra Haynie25 Nov 7, 1982 Mazda Japan Classic -9 (66-70-71=207) 6 strokes Amy26 Feb 6, 1983 Elizabeth Arden Classic -3 (71-71-70-73=285) 1 stroke Pat Bradley, JoAnne Carner,
Stephanie Farwig, Betsy King27 Apr 10, 1983 J&B Scotch Pro-Am -6 (71-69-69-74=283) 1 stroke Laura Baugh28 Mar 4, 1984 Uniden LPGA Invitational Even (70-74-66-74=284) 3 strokes Pat Bradley29 Aug 19, 1984 Chevrolet World Championship of Women's Golf -7 (69-74-65-73=281) 1 stroke JoAnne Carner30 May 19, 1985 Chrysler-Plymouth Classic -9 (69-69-72=210) 3 strokes Pat Bradley31 Jun 7, 1985 LPGA Championship -15 (65-71-72-65=273) 8 strokes Alice Miller32 Jul 7, 1985 Mazda Hall of Fame Championship -7 (71-70-72-68=281) 3 strokes JoAnne Carner, Allison Finney33 Aug 11, 1985 Henredon Classic -20 (66-67-69-66=268) 10 strokes Val Skinner34 Sep 8, 1985 Portland Ping Championship -1 (69-76-70=215) Playoff Lori Garbacz35 Feb 8, 1987 Sarasota Classic -7 (73-66-68-74=281) 3 strokes Kathy Guadagnino, 
Anne Marie Palli36 Sep 13, 1987 Cellular One-Ping Golf Championship -6 (72-67-71=210) 1 stroke Kelly Leadbetter, Muffin Spencer-Devlin,
Jan Stephenson37 Feb 7, 1988 Mazda Classic -5 (69-68-71-75=283) 2 strokes 
Marta Figueras-Dotti38 Apr 17, 1988 AI Star/Centinela Hospital Classic -6 (71-72-67=210) Playoff Marta Figueras-Dotti39 May 15, 1988 Chrysler-Plymouth Classic -12 (68-70-66=204) 8 strokes Jan Stephenson40 May 21, 1989 Mazda LPGA Championship -14 (71-69-68-66=274) 3 strokes 
Ayako Okamoto41 Jul 30, 1989 Atlantic City Classic -10 (67-70-69=206) 1 stroke Christa Johnson, Vicki Fergon42 Sep 24, 1989 Nippon Travel-MBS Classic -11 (73-69-65-70=277) 2 strokes Alice Ritzman, 
Pamela Wright43 Sep 23, 1990 MBS LPGA Classic -7 (69-70-74-68=281) Playoff Cathy Gerring44 May 5, 1991 Sara Lee Classic -10 (65-70-71=206) 2 strokes Kris Monaghan45 Sep 7, 1992 Rail Charity Golf Classic -17 (67-68-64=199) Playoff 
Laura Davies46 Sep 13, 1992 Ping-Cellular One LPGA Golf Championship -7 (70-70-69=209) Playoff Jane Crafter47 Jul 11, 1993 Youngstown-Warren LPGA Classic -13 (68-68-67=203) Playoff Deb Richard48 Apr 27, 1997 Chick-fil-A Charity Championship -7 (71-66=137) 2 strokes Tina Barrett, Deb Richard,
Karrie WebbLPGA Tour playoff record (8-7)
No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result 1 1978 Kathryn Crosby/Honda Civic Classic Sally LittleLost to par on first extra hole 2 1978 Coca-Cola Classic JoAnne CarnerWon with par on first extra hole 3 1978 Mizuno-Japan Classic Michiko Okada, 
Ai-Yu TuOkada won with birdie on fifth extra hole
Tu eliminated with birdie on second hole4 1979 Women's Kemper Open Donna Caponi, JoAnne Carner,
Chako Higuchi, Jan StephensonCarner won with par on second extra hole
Caponi, Lopez, and Stephenson eliminated with par on first hole5 1979 Coca-Cola Classic Bonnie Bryant, Hollis Stacy,
Jo Ann Washam, Mickey WrightWon with birdie on second extra hole
Bryant, Stacy, Washam, eliminated with birdie on first hole6 1980 Mary Kay Classic Jerilyn BritzLost to birdie on second extra hole 7 1985 Portland Ping Championship Lori GarbaczWon with birdie on third extra hole 8 1988 AI Star/Centinela Hospital Classic Marta Figueras-DottiWon with par on second extra hole 9 1988 Crestar Classic Juli Inkster, Rosie Jones,
Betsy KingInkster won with eagle on first extra hole 10 1988 Rochester International Mei-Chi Cheng, Patty SheehanCheng won with birdie on second extra hole
Sheehan eliminated with par on first hole11 1990 MBS LPGA Classic Cathy GerringWon with par on first extra hole 12 1992 Rail Charity Classic Laura DaviesWon with par on first extra hole 13 1992 Ping-Cellular One LPGA Golf Championship Jane CrafterWon with par on second extra hole 14 1993 Youngstown-Warren LPGA Classic Deb RichardWon with birdie on first extra hole 15 1998 Sara Lee Classic Donna Andrews
Jenny Lidback,
Barb MuchaMucha won with birdie on second extra hole LPGA majors are shown in bold.
Note: Lopez won the Colgate Dinah Shore (now known as the Kraft Nabisco Championship) before it became a major championship.Other wins
- 1979 Portland Ping Team Championship (with Jo Ann Washam)
- 1980 JCPenney Mixed Team Classic (with Curtis Strange)
- 1987 Mazda Champions (with Miller Barber)
- 1992 Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge (with Dottie Mochrie and Patty Sheehan)
Major championships
Wins (3)
Year Championship Winning score Margin Runner-up 1978 LPGA Championship -13 (71-65-69-70=275) 6 strokes Amy Alcott1985 LPGA Championship -15 (65-71-72-65=273) 8 strokes Alice Miller1989 Mazda LPGA Championship -14 (71-69-68-66=274) 3 strokes Ayako OkamotoResults timeline
Tournament 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 Kraft Nabisco Championship ... ... ... ... ... ... ... LPGA Championship DNP DNP DNP DNP 1 T10 T19 U.S. Women's Open T18 T2LA CUT 2 T9 T11 T7 du Maurier Classic ... ... ... ... ... 2 T6 Tournament 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 Kraft Nabisco Championship ... ... T6 T16 T11 DNP T33 T5 T18 CUT LPGA Championship T5 T35 T21 T14 1 DNP T28 T24 1 T14 U.S. Women's Open WD T7 DNP T35 T4 DNP T21 T12 2 T14 du Maurier Classic T2 T9 WD T8 DNP DNP T21 T45 9 DNP Tournament 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Kraft Nabisco Championship T30 CUT T8 T9 T3 T15 T23 T13 T21 T43 LPGA Championship DNP T18 T25 WD T18 T18 T37 T44 WD T65 U.S. Women's Open DNP T16 T7 T35 T28 CUT 2 CUT CUT T46 du Maurier Classic DNP DNP DNP T22 DNP T2 DNP T27 DNP DNP Tournament 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Kraft Nabisco Championship T63 CUT CUT WD CUT DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP LPGA Championship CUT CUT CUT CUT DNP DNP CUT DNP DNP CUT U.S. Women's Open CUT CUT DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP Women's British Open DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP ^ The Women's British Open replaced the du Maurier Classic as an LPGA major in 2001.
LA = Low Amateur
DNP = did not play.
CUT = missed the half=way cut.
"T" = tied
WD = withdrew
Green background for a win. Yellow background for a top-10 finish.See also
References
- ^ "Hollis Stacy Withstands The Pressure". Lebanon Daily News (Lebanon, Pennsylvania): p. 19. July 25, 1977. http://www.newspaperarchive.com/SiteMap/FreePdfPreview.aspx?img=105370577. Retrieved July 27, 2011. "Next to her was 20-year-old Nancy Marie Lopez..."
- ^ a b c d e f Nancy Lopez at about.com
Further reading
- Katherine M. Jamieson. "Reading Nancy Lopez: Decoding Representations of Race, Class, and Sexuality"
- Baca Zinn, Maxine and Bonnie Thornton Dill. "Theorizing Difference from Multiracial Feminism." Feminist Theory Reader. Carole R. McCann & Seung-Kyung Kim, eds. New York, NY: Routledge Press, 2003.
External links
- Official website
- Nancy Lopez at the LPGA Tour official site
- Nancy Lopez (biography in the New Georgia Encyclopedia)
- Nancy Lopez bio
- Nancy Lopez on Latino sports legends
Awards and achievements Preceded by
Chris EvertAssociated Press Female Athlete of the Year
1978Succeeded by
Tracy AustinPreceded by
Mary Lou RettonAssociated Press Female Athlete of the Year
1985Succeeded by
Martina NavratilovaPreceded by
Diana Golden-BrosnihanFlo Hyman Memorial Award
1992Succeeded by
Lynette WoodardUnited States Solheim Cup team – 1990 Pat Bradley • Beth Daniel • Cathy Gerring • Rosie Jones • Betsy King • Nancy Lopez • Dottie Mochrie • Patty Sheehan
Kathy Whitworth (non-playing captain)
Won: 11.5 – 4.5
United States Solheim Cup team – 2005 Paula Creamer • Beth Daniel • Laura Diaz • Natalie Gulbis • Pat Hurst • Juli Inkster • Rosie Jones • Cristie Kerr • Christina Kim • Meg Mallon • Michele Redman • Wendy Ward
Donna Caponi (non-playing assistant captain) • Nancy Lopez (non-playing captain)
Won: 15.5 – 12.5Categories:- American female golfers
- Tulsa Golden Hurricane women's golfers
- LPGA Tour golfers
- Winners of LPGA major golf championships
- World Golf Hall of Fame inductees
- American sportspeople of Mexican descent
- People from the Greater Los Angeles Area
- People from Roswell, New Mexico
- People from Albany, Georgia
- 1957 births
- Living people
- Solheim Cup competitors for the United States
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