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.

Mary Mills
Personal information
Full nameMary Mills
Born (1940-01-19) January 19, 1940 (age 84)
Laurel, Mississippi, U.S.
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Sporting nationality United States
ResidenceBoca Raton, Florida, U.S.
Career
CollegeMillsaps College
Florida International University
Turned professional1962
Former tour(s)LPGA Tour (1962–81)
Professional wins9
Number of wins by tour
LPGA Tour9
Best results in LPGA major championships
(wins: 3)
Western Open4th: 1965
Titleholders C'shipT2: 1966
Women's PGA C'shipWon: 1964, 1973
U.S. Women's OpenWon: 1963
du Maurier ClassicDNP
Achievements and awards
LPGA Rookie of the Year1962

Amateur career

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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

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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

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LPGA Tour wins (9)

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Legend
LPGA Tour major championships (3)
Other LPGA Tour (6)
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 by birdie on first hole
2 1973 Dallas Civitan Open   Kathy Whitworth Lost to par on second extra hole

Major championships

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Wins (3)

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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

See also

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