Sally Little

Sally Little (born 12 October 1951) is a South African-born professional golfer. She became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1971 and won 15 LPGA Tour events, including two major championships, during her career. In 2016, she became the first female golfer from South Africa inducted into the South African Hall of Fame.

Early life and amateur career In 1951, Little was born in Cape Town. As a girl, Gary Player encouraged her to play golf. Little later told The Plain Dealer, "Gary encouraged me when I was 13, but I didn't listen until I was 16. I broke my leg when I was 15 and could only play golf and became interested."

Little was the low individual at the 1970 World Amateur Team Championship and won the South African Match Play and Stroke Play titles that same year. As an amateur, she tied for fifth at the 1971 Lady Carling Open.

Professional career In 1971, Little joined the LPGA Tour and was named LPGA Rookie of the Year. Her first professional win was at the 1976 Women's International. Little holed a shot from a greenside bunker on the 72nd hole to edge Jan Stephenson by one shot.Sand Trap shot wins for Little

Little's best season was 1982, when she finished third on the money list. That year, in August, she also became a United States citizen.

She has won 15 times on the tour, including two major championships, the 1988 du Maurier Classic and the 1980 LPGA Championship.

Awards and honors In 1971, Little earned the LPGA Rookie of the Year award. In 1989, she earned the Ben Hogan Award from the Golf Writers Association of America In 2000, Little was recognized during the LPGA's 50th Anniversary as one of the LPGA's top-50 players and teachers. In 2016, she was inducted into the South African Hall of Fame

Professional wins LPGA Tour (15) LegendLPGA Tour major championships (2)Other LPGA Tour (13) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up19 May 1976Women's International−7 (71-69-71-70=281)1 stroke Jan Stephenson219 Mar 1978Kathryn Crosby/Honda Civic Classic−6 (77-70-70-65=282)Playoff Nancy Lopez34 Mar 1979Bent Tree Classic−10 (72-67-72-67=278)2 strokes Nancy Lopez420 Aug 1979Barth Classic−8 (68-69-71=208)1 stroke Pat Bradley59 Sep 1979Columbia Savings Classic−7 (66-71-72=209)2 strokes Beth Daniel Judy Rankin68 Jun 1980LPGA Championship−3 (69-70-73-73=285)3 strokes Jane Blalock727 Jul 1980WUI Classic−4 (69-71-69-75=284)4 strokes Amy Alcott Beth Daniel88 Feb 1981Elizabeth Arden Classic−5 (71-72-72-68=283)Playoff JoAnne Carner Judy Rankin92 Mar 1981Olympia Gold Classic−4 (71-71=142)1 stroke Lori Garbacz Kathy Whitworth103 May 1981CPC Women's International−1 (73-71-73-70=287)Playoff Hollis Stacy Kathy Whitworth1115 Mar 1982Olympia Gold Classic−4 (75-74-69-70=288)2 strokes Donna White124 Apr 1982Nabisco Dinah Shore Invitational−10 (76-67-71-64=278)3 strokes Sandra Haynie Hollis Stacy139 May 1982United Virginia Bank Classic−11 (72-69-67=208)Playoff Kathy Whitworth1418 Jul 1982Mayflower Classic−13 (71-66-70-68=275)5 strokes Beth Daniel153 Jul 1988du Maurier Classic−9 (74-65-69-71=279)1 stroke Laura Davies Note: Little won the Nabisco Dinah Shore Invitational (now known as the Kraft Nabisco Championship) before it became a major championship.

LPGA Tour playoff record (4–2) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11978Kathryn Crosby/Honda Civic Classic Nancy LopezWon with par on first extra hole21981Elizabeth Arden Classic JoAnne Carner Judy RankinWon with par on third extra holeCarner eliminated by par on second hole31981CPC Women's International Hollis Stacy Kathy WhitworthWon with birdie on first extra hole41982Arizona Copper Classic Ayako OkamotoLost to birdie on second extra hole51982United Virginia Bank Classic Kathy WhitworthWon with birdie on first extra hole61986U.S. Women's Open Jane GeddesLost 18-hole playoff (Geddes:71, Little:73)

Major championships Wins (2) YearChampionshipWinning scoreMarginRunner-up 1980 LPGA Championship −3 (69-70-73-73=285)3 strokes Jane Blalock 1988 du Maurier Classic −9 (74-65-69-71=279)1 stroke Laura Davies

Team appearances Amateur Espirito Santo Trophy (representing South Africa): 1970

Professional Handa Cup (representing World team): 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 (tie)

Sally Little

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