Nancy Lopez

Former American professional golfer, Nacy Marie Lopez became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1977. She has won 48 LPGA Tour events including three major championships. She won the New Mexico Women's Amateur at the age of 12 and has won the U.S. Girls' Junior at the ages of 15 and 17.

Early Life Of Nancy Lopez

Nancy Lopez was born on January 6, 1957, in Torrance, California. Nancy Lopez won her first amateur golf tournament at age 13. With guidance from her father, Lopez began playing golf as a child.

She won the New Mexico Women's Amateur tournament at the age of 12 and went on to win several amateur titles. Becoming a professional golfer while in college, Lopez won Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year awards in 1978.

She won the New Mexico Women's Amateur at age 12, and the U.S. Girls' Junior in 1972 and 1974, at ages 15 and 17, respectively. Playing in the U.S. Women's Open as an 18-year-old amateur in 1975, she finished tied for second. In 1976, Lopez was named All-American and Female Athlete of the Year for her play at the University of Tulsa.

There is not much information about her family and education. She might have completed her high school in California. She is an American citizen but her parents were of Spanish descent. 

Nancy Lopez's Career

In 1978, her first full season on the LPGA Tour, Lopez won nine tournaments, including at one stretch, five tournaments in a row. She appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, won the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average, LPGA Rookie of the Year, LPGA Player of the Year, and was named the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year.

She won another eight times in 1979. She won multiple times in each year from 1980 to 1984, although she played only half-seasons in 1983 and 1984 due to the birth of her first child. Playing full-time again in 1985, Lopez posted five wins, five seconds, and five thirds, won the money title, the scoring title, and the Player of the Year Award. She was also named Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year for the second time.

She played only four tournaments in 1986 when her second daughter was born. But came back to win multiple times in 1987-89 - three times each in 1988 and 1989 - and once again won Player of the Year honors in 1988. Her schedule was curtailed again in the early 1990s when her third daughter was born.

In 1992 she won twice. She continued to play short schedules - from 11 to 18 tournaments - through 2002, then in 2003 cut back to just a half dozen or fewer events a year.

Her three major championships all came at the LPGA Championship, in 1978, 1985, and 1989. Lopez was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1987. She was a member of the United States Solheim Cup team in 1990 and was captain of the team in 2005. She retired from regular tournament play in 2002 and then attempted a return in 2007 and 2008.

Nancy Lopez's Net Worth And Salary

Nancy Lopez's net worth is $10 million at present. Her estimated salary is $42,000 USD. She is the recipient of many awards and accolades including being the LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 1978 and the LPGA Tour Player of the Year in 1978, 1979, 1985, and 1988. She was named Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year in 1978 and 1985. 

Nancy Lopez's Personal Life

Lopez was married to former Major League All-Star baseball player Ray Knight for 27 years, from 1982 to 2009. They have three daughters. She has previously married for three years to sportscaster Tim Melton.

She is 5 feet and 1 inch tall and weighs about 61 kg. She is currently 57 at the beginning of 2014.