LPGA Tour legend and 13-time major winner Mickey Wright dies

LPGA Tour legend Mickey Wright has died of a heart attack aged 85. 

The American won a combined 82 titles, including 13 majors. 

Wright's major haul of three victories in one season (1961) has only ever been equalled by Babe Zaharias (1950), Pat Bradley (1986) and Inbee Park (2013).

The only player to have won more majors in the ladies game was Patty Berg, who died in 2006, with 15 wins. 

"We lost a legend, but we may also have lost the best swing in golf history," said LPGA Tour commissioner Mike Whan.

"Our thoughts are with her family and friends."

Kathy Whitworth, who won a record 88 LPGA Tour titles, said: "She contributed so much to my career success and to my life as well. What a blessing to play alongside Mickey. It was impossible to be around her without knowing she was someone very special."

There could have been many more wins for Wright too, having retired from the game at the age of 34 after admitting to being under constant scrutiny and not enjoying being in the spotlight. 

Back in 2000, Wright said: "It was a lot of pressure to be in contention week after week for five or six years. I guess they call it burnout now, but it wore me out. Unless you're a golfer, you can't understand the tension and pressure of tournament play.

"I'm not real good as far as wanting to be in front of people, glorying in it and loving it.

"I think you have to love that to make that kind of pressure tolerable. It finally got to where it wasn't tolerable to me."