1981 - Women (All)
The winners in the category "1981 - Women (All)" are shown in the table below, which also includes relevant information on venues, scores and prize money.
Majors
Peter Jackson
Played as the Peter Jackson Classic (July 2-5). Second-placed Nancy Lopez (USA) and Pat Bradley (USA) finished 1 shot behind Jan Stephenson (Aus), who recorded her fifth LPGA Tour win, and the first of her three major championship titles. [Summerlea G&CC, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Québec].
Majors
USGA
The US Women's Open (36th) (July 23-26). Second-placed Beth Daniel (USA) finished 1 shot behind Bradley (USA), who recorded her second major championship title. [La Grange CC, La Grange, Chicago, IL].
Majors
LPGA
The LPGA Championship (27th) (June 11-14). Second-placed Jerilyn Britz (USA) and Pat Meyers (USA) finished 1 shot behind Caponi (USA), who won the LPGA Championship for the second time in three years. [Grizzly course, The Golf Center at Kings Island, Mason, OH].
Amateur
LGU
Played as the Girls' British Open Amateur Championship. Defending champion Connachan (Scot) beat Penny Grice (Eng) at the 20th hole in the final match. [Woodbridge GC, nr Ipswich, Suffolk].
Amateur
LGU
The Ladies' British Open Amateur Championship (78th). Robertson (Scot, born Isabella McCorkindale) beat Wilma Aitken (Scot) at the 20th hole in the all-Scottish final. [Conwy (Caernarvonshire) GC, Conwy, N Wales].
Amateur
USGA
The US Women's Amateur Championship (81st). Defending champion Inkster (USA) beat Lindy Goggin (Aus) by 1 hole in the final. [Waverley CC, Portland, Oregon].
America
American Defender/WRAL
Played as the American Defender/WRAL Golf Classic. Second-placed Cathy Sherk (Can) finished 1 shot behind Caponi (USA). [North Ridge CC, Raleigh, North Carolina].
America
x
Played as the Birmingham Classic. Solomon (USA) beat Jane Blalock (USA) with a par at the third playoff hole, to record her first (and only) LPGA Tour win. [Green Valley CC, Birmingham, Alabama].
America
Boston Five
Played as the Boston Five Classic. Second-placed Jan Stephenson (Aus) finished 6 shots behind Caponi (USA), who recorded the last of her 24 LPGA Tour wins. [Ferncroft CC, Middleton, nr Boston, MA].
America
Colgate
Played as the Colgate Dinah Shore (10th) (April 2-5). Second-placed Carolyn Hill (USA) finished 2 shots behind Nancy Lopez (USA). [Dinah Shore Tournament course, Mission Hills CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].
America
Coca-Cola
Played as the Coca-Cola Classic. Whitworth (USA) beat Alice Ritzman (USA) with a birdie at the second playoff hole. [Ridgewood CC, Paramus, New Jersey].
America
Columbia Savings
Played as the Columbia Savings LPGA Classic. Second-placed Janet Alex (USA, née Anderson), Kathy Whitworth (USA) and Patty Sheehan (USA) finished 2 shots behind Carner (USA). [Columbine CC, Littleton, nr Denver, CO].
America
CPC
Played as the CPC Women's International. Little (RSA) beat Kathy Whitworth (USA) and defending champion Hollis Stacy (USA) with a 9-foot birdie putt at the first playoff hole. [Moss Creek Plantation, Hilton Head Island, SC; now called Moss Creek GC].
America
Utd Virginia Bank
Played as the United Virginia Bank Golf Classic. Second-placed Sally Little (RSA) and Janet Alex (USA) finished 3 shots behind Stephenson (Aus). [Sleepy Hole GC, Suffolk, Virginia].
America
Mary Kay
Played as the Mary Kay Classic. Second-placed Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 11 shots behind Stephenson (Aus). [Bent Tree CC, Dallas, Texas].
America
Elizabeth Arden
Played as the Elizabeth Arden Classic. Sally Little (RSA) beat Judy Rankin (USA) with a par at the third playoff hole. JoAnne Carner (USA) was eliminated at the second playoff hole. [Soffer course, Miami Turnberry Resort, Aventura, FL; at the time called the South course, Turnberry Isle Resort].
America
x
Played as the Golden Lights Championship. Betsy King finished in second place behind Reynolds.
America
Whirlpool
Played as the Whirlpool Championship of Deer Creek. Second-placed Amy Alcott (USA) finished 2 shots behind Palmer (USA). [Deer Creek CC, Deerfield Beach, Florida].
America
Henredon
Played as the inaugural Henredon Classic. Second-placed Judy Clark (USA; Judy Dickinson from late-1985) finished 1 shot behind Haynie (USA). [Willow Creek CC, High Point, North Carolina; now known as the Willow Creek course of High Point CC].
America
Inamori
Played as the Inamori Classic. Stacy (USA) beat Jan Stephenson (Aus), Donna Caponi (USA) and defending champion Amy Alcott (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Almaden G&CC, San Jose, CA].
America
Desert Inn
Played as the LPGA Desert Inn Pro-Am. Second-placed Pat Bradley (USA) finished 3 shots behind defending champion Caponi (USA; at the time Donna Caponi Young), who recorded her 20th LPGA Tour win. [Wynn Las Vegas, Nevada; at the time known as Desert Inn CC. Earlier rounds also at Las Vegas CC].
America
JCPenney
Played as the JCPenney Mixed Team Classic (Dec 3-6; two-person team event; one PGA Tr, one LPGA Tr). Second placed Vance Heafner (USA) & Cathy Morse (USA) finished 2 shots behind winning team of Tom Kite (USA) & Beth Daniel (USA). [Bardmoor CC, Largo, FL].
America
x
Played as the Lady Keystone Open. Second-placed Martha Nause (USA) finished 8 shots behind defending champion Carner (USA). [West course, Hershey CC, Hershey, PA].
America
Michelob
Played as the Lady Michelob. Second-placed Sally Little (RSA) finished 1 shot behind Alcott (USA). [Brookfield CC, Roswell, Georgia; at the time Brookfield West G&CC].
America
Corning
Played as the LPGA Corning Classic. Second-placed JoAnne Carner (USA) finished 1 shot behind Hite (USA), who recorded her first (and only) LPGA Tour win. [Corning CC, Corning, nr Elmira, New York].
America
Mayflower
Played as the Mayflower Classic. Second-placed Hollis Stacy (USA) and Myra Von Hoose (USA) finished 4 shots behind Austin (USA), who recorded the last of her seven LPGA Tour wins. [CC of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana].
America
McDonald's
Played as the McDonald's Classic. Second-placed Amy Alcott (USA) finished 2 shots behind Post (Can), who recorded the last of her eight LPGA Tour wins. [White Manor CC, Malvern, nr Philadelphia, PA].
America
Olympia Brewing
Played as the Olympia Gold Classic (Feb 26-Mar 1). Second-placed Kathy Whitworth (USA) and Lori Garbacz (USA) finished 1 shot behind Little (RSA). Event reduced to 36 holes when last two rounds were rained out. [Eisenhower course, Industry Hills GC at Pacific Palms, nr Los Angeles, CA].
America
x
Played as the Florida Lady Citrus. Daniel (USA) beat Donna Caponi (USA) with a birdie at the second playoff hole. Patty Sheehan (USA), Cindy Hill (USA) and Patti Rizzo (USA) were eliminated at the first playoff hole. [Rio Pinar CC, Orlando, Florida].
America
x
Played as the Sun City Classic. Second-placed Sandra Palmer (USA) finished 2 shots behind Hayes (USA), who recorded her first (and only) LPGA Tour win. [Hillcrest GC, Sun City West, Phoenix, AZ].
Played as the Pioneer Cup. Michiko Okada finished in second place behind Higuchi.
America
PING
Played as the Portland PING Team Championship (unofficial LPGA Tr team event). Defending champions Donna Caponi (USA) & Kathy Whitworth (USA) beat JoAnne Carner (USA) & Judy Rankin (USA) with a birdie at the second playoff hole. [Riverside G&CC, Portland, Oregon].
America
PING
Played as the Portland PING Team Championship (unofficial LPGA Tr team event). Defending champions Donna Caponi (USA) & Kathy Whitworth (USA) beat JoAnne Carner (USA) & Judy Rankin (USA) with a birdie at the second playoff hole. [Riverside G&CC, Portland, Oregon].
America
x
Played as the World Championship of Women's Golf. Second-placed Jan Stephenson (Aus) finished 1 shot behind defending champion Daniel (USA). [Shaker Heights CC, nr Cleveland, Ohio].
America
x
Played as the Bent Tree Ladies Classic. Second-placed and defending champion JoAnne Carner (USA) finished 1 shot behind Alcott (USA). [Bent Tree CC, nr Sarasota, Florida].
America
x
Played as the Rail Charity Golf Classic. Second-placed Kyle O'Brien (USA) finished 2 shots behind Carner (USA). [Rail GC, Springfield, Illinois].
America
S&H
Played as the S&H Golf Classic. Carner (USA) beat defending champion Dot Germain (USA) with a par at the first playoff hole, to record her 30th LPGA Tour win. [Pasadena GC, Gulfport, Florida; now called Pasadena Yatch & CC].
America
Sarah Coventry
Played as the Sarah Coventry Classic. Second-placed Pat Bradley (USA) finished 2 shots behind defending champion Lopez (USA). [Locust Hill CC, Pittsford, Rochester, NY].
America
x
Played as the inaugural Arizona Copper Classic. Second-placed Pat Bradley (USA) finished 4 shots behind Lopez (USA). [North course, Randolph GC, Tucson, AZ].
America
WV Bank
Played as the West Virginia Bank Classic. Stacy (USA) beat Alice Ritzman (USA), Penny Pulz (Aus), Susie McAllister (USA) and Kathy Postlewait (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Jones course, Speidel GC, Oglebay Resort, Wheeling, WV].
America
Kemper
Played as the Women's Kemper Open. Debbie Massey (USA) finished 5 shots behind Bradley (USA). [Mesa Verde CC, Costa Mesa, nr Newport Beach, CA].
America
Western Union Intl
Played as the WUI Classic. Julie Stanger (USA) finished 2 shots behind Caponi (USA). [Meadow Brook Club, Jericho, Long Island, NY].
Europe
Lambert & Butler
Played as the Lambert & Butler Matchplay Championship (Oct 15-17; next played in 1984). Smith (Eng) beat Beverly Lewis (Eng) 3 and 2 in the 18-hole final. [Combination of High & West courses, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].
Europe
Pretty Polly
Played as the Pretty Polly Women's British Open (July 29-Aug 1). Second-placed Belle Robertson (Scot, amateur) finished 4 shots behind defending champion Debbie Massey (USA). [Northumberland GC, Gosforth Park, nr Newcastle upon Tyne].
Europe
Carlsberg
Played as the Carlsberg WPGA Tournament (June 17-19; third of four Carlsberg-sponsored WPGA Tr events played over 54-holes at different British venues in 1981). Second-placed Jenny Lee Smith (Eng) finished 3 shots behind Panton (Scot). [Moortown GC, nr Leeds, W Yorks, England].
Europe
Carlsberg
Played as the Carlsberg WPGA Tournament (May 20-22; second of four Carlsberg-sponsored WPGA Tr events played over 54-holes at different British venues in 1981). Second-placed Christine Langford (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Panton (Scot). [Queen's Park GC, Bournemouth, Dorset, England].
Europe
Carlsberg
Played as the Carlsberg WPGA Tournament (April 29-May 1; WPGA Tr season-opener; first of four Carlsberg-sponsored WPGA Tr events played over 54-holes at different British venues in 1981). Second-placed Sue Latham (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Walker (Eng). [Old course, St Pierre Hotel & CC, Chepstow, South Wales].
Europe
Carlsberg
Played as the Carlsberg WPGA Tournament (Aug 12-14; last of four Carlsberg-sponsored WPGA Tr events played over 54-holes at different British venues in 1981). Second-placed Jenny Lee Smith (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Reid (Scot). [Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire].
Europe
Elizabeth Ann
Played as the Elizabeth Ann Classic (July 21-24). Second-placed Jenny Lee Smith (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Thomson (Scot). [Pannal GC, Pannal, nr Harrogate, N Yorks].
Played as the Moben Kitchens Classic. Won by Panton (Scot). [The Mere Resort, Mere, Knutsford, Cheshire].
Europe
Sports Space
Played as the Sports Space Championship (May 11; 18-hole event). Second-placed Christine Langford (Eng) and Cathy Panton (Scot) finished 2 shots behind Smith (Eng). [Dyrham Park CC, Barnet, Herts, England].
Europe
Smirnoff
Played as the Smirnoff Ulster Women's Championship (May 28-30). 23-year-old Leveque (USA) beat Christine Langford (Eng) at the first playoff hole. Defending champion Muriel Thomson (Scot) was third. [Royal Portrush GC, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland].
Europe
Utd Friendly
Played as the United Friendly Insurance Tournament (June 4-6). Second-placed Cathy Panton (Scot) and S. Galbraith (Aus) finished 8 shots behind Leveque (USA). [Moretonhampstead GC, Devon, England; now known as Bovey Castle Resort].
Europe
Volvo
Played as the Played as the Volvo Invitational Tournament. Won by Lewis (Eng). [Albatross GK, nr Gothenburg, Sweden].
Europe
McEwans
Played as the McEwans Lager Welsh Classic (July 2-4; 54-hole event). Second-placed Muriel Thomson (Scot) finished 2 shots behind Smith (Eng). Thomson did her best to close a three shot deficit in the final round; her efforts included a hole-in-one at the 160-yard par-3 first, and later an eagle two at the par-4 ninth. [Whitchurch GC, nr Cardiff, Wales].
Asia
Mazda
Played as the Mazda Japan Classic (LPGA & Jpn LPGA Trs event). Beth Daniel (USA) finished in second place behind Sheehan (USA). [Sagamihara GC, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan].
Asia
Pioneer
Played as the Pioneer Cup (Oct 30-Nov 1; individual low score prize within the US-Japan team match). Higuchi (Jpn) beat Michiko Okata (Jpn) in a playoff for the low score prize. [Genjiyama GC, Ichihara, Chiba, Japan].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Carner (USA) won her third Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Daniel (USA) won her second straight LPGA Tour Money List, with 1981 season earnings of $206,978 on the Tour. JoAnne Carner (USA) was second on the money list, just $329 behind Daniel.
Awards
WPGA Tr
Smith (Eng) won the WPGA Tour 1981 Order of Merit, with earnings of £13,518 on the Tour.
Awards
LPGA Tr
Carner (USA) won her second LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.
Sheehan (USA) won the LPGA Tour 1981 Louise Suggs Rookie of the Year Award as the leading first-season player.
Chevron Championship: Carlton Woods near Houston in Texas provides the stage for the first women’s major championship of 2025, where Nelly Korda defends her title. (April 24-27).
Soudal Open: successor to the Belgian Open, the Soudal Open takes place on the quiet, wooded North course of Rinkven Golfclub. Belgian stars Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts will be vying for top honours. (May 22-25).
Rory McIlroy: with his 2025 win in The Masters, Rory joined the pantheon of golfing greats who have achieved a career Grand Slam of men’s majors ... Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only others in this select band.
Bernhard Langer: he may have played in his last Masters Tournament, but the 67-year-old German will be trying to extend his own record, and win a 13th senior major title at the 36th Regions Tradition. (May 15-18).
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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