Patrice M. "Patti" Rizzo (born June 19, 1960) is an American professional golfer and golf instructor.
| Patti Rizzo | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Patrice M. Rizzo | ||
| Born | June 19, 1960 Hollywood, Florida | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
| Sporting nationality |  United States | ||
| Career | |||
| College | University of Miami | ||
| Status | Professional | ||
| Former tour(s) | LPGA Tour (1982–1999) | ||
| Professional wins | 15 | ||
| Number of wins by tour | |||
| LPGA Tour | 4 | ||
| LPGA of Japan Tour | 9 | ||
| Other | 2 | ||
| Best results in LPGA major championships | |||
| Chevron Championship | T8: 1986 | ||
| Women's PGA C'ship | 4th/T4: 1984, 1993 | ||
| U.S. Women's Open | 4th: 1983 | ||
| du Maurier Classic | T8: 1986, 1990 | ||
| Achievements and awards | |||
| |||
Amateur career
Rizzo was born in Hollywood, Florida. A collegiate All-American at the University of Miami, among her significant victories as an amateur were the Eastern Women's Amateur and Mexican Amateur in 1980, a year when she was also runner-up to Juli Inkster at the U.S. Women's Amateur and individual winner when the U.S. team won the 1980 Espirito Santo Trophy. Her performance in the 1980 season resulted in Golf Digest ranking her the No.1 female amateur in the U.S. The following year her wins included the North and South Women's Amateur at Pinehurst and she earned medalist honors at the 1981 U.S. Women's Amateur. Golf Magazine ranked her the No. 1 collegiate player for 1981.
Professional career
In 1982, Rizzo joined the LPGA Tour where she earned Rookie of the Year honors. She played on the Tour regularly for 10 years during which time she won four tournaments.
Growing disenchanted with pro golf, Rizzo quit the LPGA in 1991. After not playing any golf at all for several months, Rizzo accepted an invitation to play in a LPGA of Japan Tour event. Rizzo won it and soon afterwards accepted a one-year exemption to play the LPGA of Japan Tour.[1] Rizzo won three tournaments in Japan in 1992, bringing her total victories there to nine.
Rizzo was the head coach of the Barry University women's golf program from 2004 until 2010 when she became coach at the University of Miami.
Amateur wins
- 1980 Trans-National, Eastern Amateur, Mexican Amateur, Espirito Santo Trophy (individual winner)
- 1981 North and South Women's Amateur, South Atlantic Harder Hall Invitational
Professional wins
LPGA Tour (4)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning Score | Margin of Victory | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 7, 1983 | Boston Five Classic | −11 (66-70-73-68=277) | 2 strokes |  Jane Lock |
| 2 | May 26, 1985 | LPGA Corning Classic | −16 (69-68-64-71=272) | 1 stroke | Jane Crafter |
| 3 | May 1, 1988 | Sara Lee Classic | −9 (70-70-67=207) | Playoff |  Tammie Green Sherri Turner Kim Williams |
| 4 | Apr 9, 1989 | Red Robin Kyocera Inamori Classic | −7 (73-67-68-69=277) | 2 strokes | Martha Nause |
LPGA Tour playoff record (1–0)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponents | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1988 | Sara Lee Classic | Tammie Green Sherri Turner Kim Williams | Won with birdie on fifth extra hole Green and Williams eliminated by par on first hole |
LPGA of Japan Tour (9)
- 1985 (1) Daio Paper Elleair Ladies Open
- 1986 (1) Takara Invitational
- 1988 (2) Takara Invitational, Daio Paper Elleair Ladies Open
- 1989 (1) Daikin Orchid Ladies Golf Tournament
- 1991 (1) Yukijirushi Ladies Tokai Classic
- 1992 (3) Nasu Ogawa Ladies Pro Golf Tournament, Takara World Invitational, Fujitsu Ladies
Other (2)
- 1985 (1) Sun City International
- 1989 (1) Mazda Champions (with Mike Hill)
U.S. national team appearances
Amateur
- Espirito Santo Trophy: 1980 (winners)
References
External links
- Patti Rizzo at the Legends Tour official site (also at former site)
- Patti Rizzo profile – Barry University