Quick Facts
Biography
Mary Mills (born January 19, 1940) is a retired American 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)
| Legend |
| LPGA Tour major championships (2) |
| Other LPGA Tour (7) |
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jul 20, 1963 | U.S. Women's Open | −3 (71-70-75-73=289) | 3 strokes |  Sandra Haynie Louise Suggs |
| 2 | Sep 13, 1964 | Eugene Ladies' Open | +1 (70-68-75-76=289) | 3 strokes | Sandra Haynie |
| 3 | Oct 4, 1964 | LPGA Championship | −6 (68-69-72-69=278) | 2 strokes | Mickey Wright |
| 4 | Aug 15, 1965 | St. Louis Open | −3 (73-71-72=216) | 2 strokes | Marlene Hagge Carol Mann |
| 5 | Sep 12, 1965 | Eugene Open | +6 (75-74-73-72=294) | 1 stroke | Jo Ann Prentice |
| 6 | Oct 19, 1969 | Quality Chek'd Classic | −3 (70-73-70=213) | 1 stroke | Carol Mann |
| 7 | Jun 28, 1970 | Len Immke Buick Open | E (73-74-69=216) | Playoff | Althea Gibson Sandra Haynie |
| 8 | Jun 10, 1973 | LPGA Championship | −4 (73-73-72-70=288) | 1 stroke | Betty Burfeindt |
| 9 | Jul 1, 1973 | Lady Tara Classic | −2 (77-70-70=217) | 1 stroke | Laura Baugh Sandra Haynie Sharon Miller Judy Rankin |
LPGA Tour playoff record (1–1)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1970 | Len Immke Buick Open | Althea Gibson Sandra Haynie | Won with par on second extra hole Haynie eliminated with birdie on first hole |
| 2 | 1973 | Dallas Civitan Open | Kathy Whitworth | Lost to par on second extra hole |
Major championships
Wins (3)
| Year | Championship | Winning score | Margin | Runner(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 |
