USGA to name U.S. Women’s Open medal after Mickey Wright

PINEHURST, N.C. – Mickey Wright and the U.S. Women’s Open will now forever be inextricably linked. The USGA announced they are naming the winner’s medal after the late four-time U.S. Women’s Open winner at their annual meeting at Pinehurst Resort Saturday night.

Wright, who passed away Feb. 17 at the age of 85, is tied with Betsy Rawls for the most U.S. Women’s Open titles and joins Jack Nicklaus as the only other golfer to have a USGA championship medal named after them.

“Mickey exemplified what it means to be a USGA champion both on and off the course,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “Naming the U.S. Women’s Open champion’s medal after Mickey, in a milestone anniversary year for the championship, is a fitting way to honor the breadth of her accomplishments and contributions to the game of golf.”

In addition to her four victories in the U.S. Women’s Open, Wright had seven top-3 finishes and 10 top-5 finishes in the event. She was also the first player to ever win the event back to back, with triumphs in 1958 and 1959.

The new Mickey Wright medal has also been designed with an image of her swing and will be awarded for the first time this summer at the U.S. Women’s Open at Champions Golf Club in the Houston area.

Wright dominated the LPGA Tour in her career, amassing 82 victories and 13 major titles, with a swing that has been lauded past and present for its power and grace that was beyond its time.

“She embodied what it means to be a U.S. Women’s Open competitor and champion, showing mental toughness, exquisite shot-making and exceptional course management,” Davis said. “We are so honored to have had the relationship with her that we did.”

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