Sandra Palmer (born March 10, 1943) is an American professional golfer. She became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1964 and won 19 LPGA Tour events, including two major championships, during her career. She was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2023 and was inducted in 2024.
Early life and amateur career In 1943, Palmer was born in Fort Worth, Texas. However, she grew up (and first played golf) in Bangor, Maine.
She attended North Texas State University where she was a cheerleader and Homecoming Queen.Sandra Palmer is new Open champ In 1961, she was runner-up at the National Collegiate Championship. While at North Texas State, Palmer joined Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She was a four-time winner of the West Texas Amateur and won the Texas State Amateur in 1963.
Professional career In 1964, Palmer turned professional and became a member of the LPGA Tour. She won 19 events on tour and also several other professional events including some as a senior.
Her two wins in major championships came at the 1972 Titleholders Championship and the 1975 U.S. Women's Open. She topped the money list for 1975 and was awarded the LPGA Player of the Year title. Her ten top-10 finishes on the money list came in ten straight years from 1968 to 1977. She played her last event on the Tour in 1997.
Awards and honors In 1975, Palmer led the LPGA's money list and was LPGA Tour Player of the Year. In 2023, she was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame and was inducted in 2024.
Amateur wins 1963 Texas State Amateur
Professional wins (28) LPGA Tour wins (19) LegendLPGA Tour major championships (2)Other LPGA Tour (17) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up1May 16, 1971Sealy LPGA Classic−3 (77-69-72-71=289)2 strokes Donna Caponi2Jun 20, 1971Heritage Open−8 (71-70-70=211)1 stroke Chako Higuchi3May 29, 1972Titleholders Championship−1 (71-68-72-72=283)10 strokes Judy Rankin Mickey Wright4Feb 18, 1973Pompano Beach Classic−1 (72-73-70=215)Playoff Betty Burfeindt5May 19, 1973St. Paul Open−7 (70-68-71=209)1 stroke Jane Blalock Judy Rankin6Aug 26, 1973National Jewish Hospital Open−3 (73-69-68=210)1 stroke Betty Burfeindt7Sep 30, 1973Cameron Park Open−7 (73-72-67=212)2 strokes Susie Maxwell Gail Toushin8Feb 4, 1974Burdine's Invitational−3 (70-69-76=215)Playoff Kathy Whitworth9Oct 21, 1974Cubic Corporation Classic−1 (72-72-71=215)1 stroke Kathy McMullen10Apr 20, 1975Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle−5 (70-70-70-73=283)1 stroke Kathy McMullen11Jul 20, 1975U.S. Women's Open +7 (78-74-71-72=295)4 strokes JoAnne Carner Nancy Lopez (a) Sandra Post12Jul 4, 1976Bloomington Bicentennial Classic−7 (71-67-71=209)1 stroke Laura Baugh JoAnne Carner13Aug 29, 1976National Jewish Hospital Open−10 (69-70-67=206) 2 strokes Pat Bradley14Sep 5, 1976Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Classic−3 (71-68-74=213)Playoff JoAnne Carner Mary Lou Crocker Michelle Walker15Mar 27, 1977Kathryn Crosby/Honda Civic Classic−7 (70-68-69-74=281)4 strokes Hollis Stacy16Apr 17, 1977Women's International−7 (70-72-69-70=281)2 strokes Jane Blalock17Feb 1, 1981Whirlpool Championship of Deer Creek−8 (66-69-74-75=284)2 strokes Amy Alcott18Aug 8, 1982Boston Five Classic−7 (74-67-71-69=281)1 stroke Terri Moody19Jun 29, 1986Mayflower Classic−8 (68-68-72-72=280)Playoff Christa Johnson Jan Stephenson
LPGA Tour playoff record (4–5) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11972Corpus Christi Civitan Open Jo Ann Prentice Kathy WhitworthPrentice won with birdie on tenth extra holeWhitworth eliminated by birdie on third hole 21972Lady Errol Classic Jane Blalock Kathy WhitworthBlalock won with birdie on third extra hole31973Pompano Beach Classic Betty BurfeindtWon with birdie on first extra hole41973 GNA Classic Gerda Boykin Judy RankinRankin won with par on third extra holeBoykin eliminated by par on first hole51974 Burdine's Invitational Kathy WhitworthWon with birdie on fifth extra hole61976Orange Blossom Classic JoAnne CarnerLost to par on fourth extra hole71976U.S. Women's Open JoAnne CarnerLost 18-hole playoff (Carner:76, Palmer.:78)81976Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Classic JoAnne Carner Mary Lou Crocker Michelle WalkerWon with birdie on third extra holeCrocker and Walker eliminated by par on first hole91986Mayflower Classic Christa Johnson Jan StephensonWon with birdie on first extra hole
LPGA majors are shown in bold. Note: Palmer won the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle (now known as the Kraft Nabisco Championship) before it became a major championship.
LPGA of Japan Tour wins (2) 1970 Tokai Classic 1973 TV Shizuoka Central Ladies
Other wins (7) 1972 Angelo's Four-Ball Championship (with Jane Blalock) 1973 Angelo's Four-Ball Championship (with Jane Blalock) 1991 Centel Senior Challenge 1992 Centel Senior Challenge 1993 Sprint Senior Challenge 1994 Sprint Senior Challenge 1995 Sprint Senior Challenge
Major championships
Wins (2) YearChampionshipWinning scoreMarginRunners-up 1972 Titleholders Championship −1 (71-68-72-72=283)10 strokes Judy Rankin, Mickey Wright 1975 U.S. Women's Open +7 (78-74-71-72=295)4 strokes JoAnne Carner, Nancy Lopez (a), Sandra Post
See also List of golfers with most LPGA Tour wins
References
External links