JoAnne Gunderson Carner (born April 4, 1939) is an American professional golfer. Her 43 victories on the LPGA Tour led to her induction in the World Golf Hall of Fame. She is the only woman to have won the U.S. Girls' Junior, U.S. Women's Amateur, and U.S. Women's Open titles, and was the first person to win three different USGA championship events. Tiger Woods is the only man to have won the equivalent three USGA titles. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Carol Semple Thompson have also won three different USGA titles.

Early life and amateur career Gunderson was born in Kirkland, Washington, a suburb east of Seattle. She was known as "The Great Gundy" early in her career.

In 1960, while attending Arizona State University, she won the national intercollegiate individual golf championship. In 1961, Carner graduated from ASU. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta.

From 1956 to 1968, she was the dominant woman in amateur golf. She won the U.S. Women's Amateur five times: in 1957, 1960, 1962, 1966, and 1968. She is second all-time, only behind Glenna Collett Vare who had six. She was runner-up two other times (1956, 1964). In 1966, Carner needed 5 extra holes (41 holes in total) to beat Marlene Stewart Streit in the longest final match in U.S. Women's Amateur history. She also won the U.S. Girls' Junior in 1956.

While still an amateur in 1969, Carner won an LPGA Tour event, the Burdine's Invitational. She was the last amateur to win on the LPGA Tour until 15-year-old New Zealander Lydia Ko won the CN Canadian Women's Open in 2012.

She remained an amateur until the age of 30. Late in her professional career, she captained the 1994 Solheim Cup team.

Professional career In 1970, at the age of 30, she turned professional. Carner's greatest professional victories were her two U.S. Women's Opens, in 1971 and 1976. She led after each round in 1971 and won easily, finishing seven shots better than Kathy Whitworth who finished in second. In 1976, Carner needed an 18-hole playoff to defeat Sandra Palmer.

Big Mama (her other nickname) was the second player in LPGA history to cross the $1 million mark in career earnings. She had an unusually long career, remaining competitive through the late 1990s. During 2004, she still played 10 tournaments and became the oldest player to make a cut on the LPGA Tour at age 65.

On July 29 and 30, 2021, Carner played in the U.S. Senior Women's Open at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Connecticut and shot her age (82) in the first round, and bettered that by shooting 79 in the second round. Although she did not make the cut, she became the fifth golfer ever to shoot their age or better multiple times in a USGA championship while also being the oldest golfer ever to play in a USGA championship.

Personal life In 1963, she married Don Carner. He also served as her coach and business manager. They were married 36 years until his death at age 83 in 1999 after a long illness. The couple was known for driving from tournament to tournament and staying in an Airstream trailer.

Awards and honors

In 1969, Carner was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. In 1981, Carner was voted the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor given by the United States Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf.

Amateur wins 1956 U.S. Girls' Junior 1957 U.S. Women's Amateur 1959 Women's Western Amateur 1960 U.S. Women's Amateur 1962 U.S. Women's Amateur 1966 U.S. Women's Amateur 1968 U.S. Women's Amateur

Professional wins (49) LPGA Tour wins (43) LegendLPGA Tour major championships (2)Other LPGA Tour (41)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunner(s)-up1Jan 19, 1969Burdine's Invitational E (73-73-70=216)1 stroke Shirley Englehorn2Sep 12, 1970Wendell-West Open−2 (72-73-69=214)Playoff Marilynn Smith3Jun 27, 1971U.S. Women's OpenE (70-73-72-73=288)7 strokes Kathy Whitworth4Aug 1, 1971Bluegrass Invitational−6 (71-71-68=210)3 strokes Sandra Haynie5May 19, 1974Bluegrass Invitational (2)−4 (72-70-73=215)Playoff Sandra Spuzich6May 26, 1974Hoosier LPGA Classic−6 (73-72-68=213)2 strokes Donna Caponi Judy Rankin7Jun 9, 1974Desert Inn Classic−4 (74-68-72-70=284)1 stroke Carole Jo Kabler8Aug 18, 1974St. Paul Open−7 (68-70-74=212)4 strokes Laura Baugh9Sep 8, 1974Dallas Civitan Open +1 (71-72-74=217)1 stroke Kathy Whitworth10Sep 29, 1974Portland Ladies Classic−5 (70-70-71=211)2 strokes Donna Caponi11May 25, 1975American Defender Classic−10 (69-68-69=206)Playoff Judy Rankin12Jun 8, 1975Girl Talk Classic−6 (68-72-73=213)6 strokes Sandra Spuzich13Jun 29, 1975Peter Jackson Classic−5 (73-69-72=214)Playoff Carol Mann14Feb 15, 1976Orange Blossom Classic (2)−7 (65-71-73=209)Playoff Sandra Palmer15June 21, 1976Lady Tara Classic−10 (72-67-70=209)3 strokes Silvia Bertolaccini16Jun 20, 1976Hoosier Classic (2)−6 (72-70-68=210)2 strokes Debbie Austin Pat Bradley17Jul 11, 1976U.S. Women's Open (2) +8 (71-71-77-73=292)Playoff Sandra Palmer18Jun 5, 1977Talk Tournament '77−4 (72-70-68-74=284)5 strokes Kathy McMullen19Jul 17, 1977Borden Classic−9 (66-70-71=207)1 stroke Pat Meyers20Sep 11, 1977National Jewish Hospital Open−6 (69-72-69=210)2 strokes Hollis Stacy21Jul 4, 1978Peter Jackson Classic (2)−14 (73-70-71-64=278)8 strokes Hollis Stacy22Jul 16, 1978Borden Classic (2)−7 (71-67-71=2091 stroke Betsy King Pat Bradley23Mar 18, 1979Honda Civic Classic−7 (72-71-69-69=281)3 strokes Pat Bradley Sandra Post24Apr 1, 1979Women's Kemper Open +2 (72-71-72-71=286)Playoff Donna Caponi Hisako Higuchi Nancy Lopez Jan Stephenson25Feb 4, 1980Whirlpool Championship of Deer Creek−10 (69-71-69-73=282)2 strokes Sandra Post26Feb 24, 1980Bent Tree Ladies Classic−8 (72-71-68-69=280)1 stroke Sandra Post27Mar, 9, 1980Sunstar Classic−9 (69-71-67=207)3 strokes Debbie Massey Kathy Postlewait28Mar 16, 1980Honda Civic Golf Classic (2)−71-69-70-69=279)4 strokes Judy Rankin29Jun 22, 1980Lady Keystone Open−9 (67-69-71=207)4 strokes Jo Ann Washam30Feb 15, 1981S&H Golf Classic (2)−1 (69-74-72=215)Playoff Dot Germain31Jun 21, 1981Lady Keystone Open (2)−13 (68-69-66=203)8 strokes Martha Nause32Aug 30, 1981Columbia Savings LPGA Classic (2)−10 (70-70-67-71=278)2 strokes Janet Anderson Patty Sheehan Kathy Whitworth33Sep 7, 1981Rail Charity Golf Classic−11 (70-69-66=205)2 strokes Kyle O'Brien34Feb 7, 1982Elizabeth Arden Classic (2)−5 (70-70-71-72=283)1 stroke Jo Ann Washam35Jun 6, 1982McDonald's Classic−12 (68-73-68-67=276)6 strokes Sandra Haynie36Aug 22, 1982Chevrolet World Championship of Women's Golf−4 (72-70-71-71=284)5 strokes Ayako Okamoto37Aug 29, 1982Henredon Classic−6 (70-71-69-72=282)Playoff Sandra Haynie38Sep 6, 1982Rail Charity Golf Classic (2)−14 (69-66-67=202)6 strokes Susie McAllister39Aug 21, 1983Chevrolet World Championship of Women's Golf (2)−6 (73-73-67-69=282)2 strokes Ayako Okamoto40Sep 11, 1983Portland Ping Championship (2)−4 (72-70-70=212)Playoff Charlotte Montgomery41May 27, 1984LPGA Corning Classic−7 (71-69-71-70=281)4 strokes Ayako Okamoto42Feb 3, 1985Elizabeth Arden Classic (3)−8 (70-66-74-70=280)6 strokes Jane Blalock43Sep 15, 1985Safeco Classic−9 (71-71-69-68=279)2 strokes Jan Stephenson Carner won the Burdine's Invitational as an amateur. Note: Carner won the Peter Jackson Classic (which became the du Maurier Classic) twice before it became a major championship.

LPGA Tour playoff record (10–10) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11970Wendell-West Open Marilynn SmithWon with bogey on first extra hole 21974Bluegrass Invitational Sandra SpuzichWon with bogey on first extra hole31975Birmingham Classic Maria Astrologes Judy RankinAstrolges won with birdie on first extra hole41975 American Defender Classic Judy RankinWon with par on first extra hole51975 Peter Jackson Classic Carol MannWon with birdie on second extra hole61976Orange Blossom Classic Sandra PalmerWon with par on fourth extra hole71976U.S. Women's Open Sandra PalmerWon an 18-hole playoff (Carner:76, Palmer.:78)81976Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Classic Mary Lou Crocker Sandra Palmer Michelle WalkerPalmer won with birdie on third extra holeCrocker and Walker eliminated by par on first hole91978Coca-Cola Classic Nancy LopezLost to par on first extra hole101979Women's Kemper Open Donna Caponi Chako Higuchi Nancy Lopez Jan StephensonWon with par on second extra holeCaponi, Lopez, and Stephenson eliminated by par on first hole111979Florida Lady Citrus Jane BlalockLost to par on second extra hole121981Elizabeth Arden Classic Sally Little Judy RankinLittle won with par on third extra holeCarner eliminated by par on second hole131981S&H Golf Classic Dot GermainWon with par on first extra hole141982Whirlpool Championship of Deer Creek Hollis StacyLost to birdie on fifth extra hole151982Henredon Classic Sandra HaynieWon with par on fifth extra hole161983McDonald's Kids Classic Beth DanielLost to birdie on first extra hole171983Portland Ping Championship Charlotte MontgomeryWon with birdie on first extra hole 181986Henredon Classic Betsy KingLost to par on second extra hole191987U.S. Women's Open Laura Davies Ayako OkamotoDavies won 18-hole playoff (Davies:71, Carner:73, Okamoto:74)201993HealthSouth Palm Beach Classic Tammie GreenLost to birdie on first extra hole Sources:

Other wins (6) 1975 Wills Qantas Australian Ladies Open 1977 LPGA National Team Championship (with Judy Rankin) 1978 Colgate Triple Crown Match-Play Championship 1979 Colgate Triple Crown 1982 JCPenney Mixed Team Classic (with John Mahaffey) 1996 Sprint Titleholders Senior Challenge

Major championships

Wins (2) YearChampionshipWinning scoreMarginRunner-up 1971 U.S. Women's Open E (70-73-72-73=288)7 strokes Kathy Whitworth 1976 U.S. Women's Open +8 (71-71-77-73=292)Playoff1 Sandra Palmer 1 In an 18-hole playoff, Carner 76, Palmer 78.

Results timeline Tournament 1962 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 LPGA ChampionshipT639T12T472T9T54U.S. Women's OpenT15T211T29T49T4T313T2

Tournament 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 Nabisco Dinah Shore †............T4T5T26T42T47T12T2T31LPGA ChampionshipT6T3T52T4T56CUTT40T28T18T54DQU.S. Women's OpenT10T6T2T2T20T48T35T2T16T1718du Maurier Classic2T7T3T25T29T14CUTT10CUT

Tournament 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Nabisco Dinah Shore CUTT17T40T48CUTT79CUTT18CUTLPGA Championship8T2T37T26T38CUTCUTCUTCUTU.S. Women's OpenT11T42T11T31CUTCUTCUTdu Maurier ClassicT69CUTT71CUTCUTCUTCUTT53CUT

Tournament 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005Kraft Nabisco Championship †DQCUTT70CUTLPGA ChampionshipCUTCUTCUTU.S. Women's OpenWomen's British Open ^ † The Kraft Nabisco Championship was the Nabisco Dinah Shore Championship through 1999. It became the Nabisco Championship in 2000 and adopted the Kraft Nabisco Championship name in 2002. ^The Women's British Open replaced the du Maurier Classic as an LPGA major in 2001.

CUT = missed the half-way cut DQ = disqualified ... = not yet a major "T" = tied for place

Summary Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts madeKraft Nabisco Championship 0 1 0 3 3 6 21 14LPGA Championship 0 3 1 8 12 14 32 23U.S. Women's Open 2 4 2 9 11 19 28 25du Maurier Classic 0 2 1 4 6 7 19 11Totals 2 10 4 24 32 46 100 73 Most consecutive cuts made – 37 (1962 U.S. Women's Open – 1985 Nabisco Dinah Shore) Longest streak of top-10s – 24 (1974 LPGA – 1984 Nabisco Dinah Shore)

Team appearances Amateur Curtis Cup (representing the United States): 1958 (tie), 1960 (winners), 1962 (winners), 1964 (winners)

Professional Handa Cup (representing the United States): 2006 (winners), 2007 (winners), 2008 (winners), 2009 (winners), 2010 (winners), 2011 (winners) Solheim Cup (representing the United States): 1994 (non-playing captain, winners)

See also List of golfers with most LPGA Tour wins

References

External links