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ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — On January 6, 1957, Golf icon Nancy Lopez was born.

Lopez became the youngest woman ever inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame. She won 48 tournaments over the course of her career, earning more than $5 million in prize money.

By age 17, Lopez had already won several state and national titles.

By 1979, Lopez had left college to join the LPGA Tour. The next year, she was named both Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year by the association, won the Vare Trophy for lowest stroke average per round and was named Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year.

The 1980s marked Lopez’s most successful period. She set records for yearly earnings and scoring average during the decade.

Lopez was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame after her second association championship, third Player of the Year title and third AP Female Athlete of the Year title.

Lopez married sports legend Ray Knight, who was from Albany. The couple welcomed two children in the 1980s while Lopez continued her professional career.

Lopez retired in 2002 after being inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

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