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Remembering 1956 U.S. Women's Open Champ
2 Oct
Summary
- Aged 93, Kathy Cornelius, the 1956 U.S. Women's Open champion, passed away.
- Cornelius was a seven-time winner on the LPGA tour and a mother-champion.
- She and her daughter Kay share a unique USGA mother-daughter championship history.
Kathy Cornelius, a celebrated golfer and the 1956 U.S. Women's Open champion, passed away on September 28th at the age of 93. She was a distinguished seven-time winner on the LPGA tour, achieving this success after becoming a mother.
Cornelius turned professional in 1953. She made a significant impact in her rookie season in 1956, winning twice, including the U.S. Women's Open in Duluth, Minnesota, after an 18-hole playoff against Barbara McIntire.
She also holds a unique place in golf history alongside her daughter, Kay. They are the only mother-daughter pair to have won USGA championships, with Kay winning the U.S. Girls' Junior in 1981 at age 14.
Kathy Cornelius, who grew up in Florida and pursued journalism and golf at Florida Southern College, was known for her consistent game and humble demeanor. Her husband, Bill Cornelius, preceded her in death in 2019, and she resided in Chandler, Arizona.
