RAWLS, BETSY

born May 4, 1928, Spartanburg, S.C., U.S. byname of Elizabeth Earle Rawls American golfer who set a record by winning the U.S. Women's Open four times (tied by Mickey Wright in 1964). Rawls began playing golf at 17, capping her amateur career by placing second in the 1950 U.S. Women's Open behind the all-time great Babe Zaharias. Turning professional in 1951, Rawls won that year's Open, repeating her victory in 1953, 1957, and 1960. Other major professional achievements included winning the Eastern and Western Women's Open twice each, the Ladies' Professional Golfers' Association (LPGA) tournament twice, and the Tampa Women's Open four times. Her 55 LPGA tournament wins were the third highest at the time of her retirement from active play. Rawls served as LPGA president from 1961 to 1962 and as tournament director in 1975. In 1952 and 1959 she won the most money on the LPGA tour, with her earnings in the latter year setting a record at that time.