Patrice M. "Patti" Rizzo (born June 19, 1960) is an American professional golfer and golf instructor.
Amateur career In 1960, 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, in 1981, her wins included the North and South Women's Amateur at Pinehurst and she earned medalist honors at the 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.
In 1991, growing disenchanted with pro golf, Rizzo quit the LPGA. 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.Golfer Gives Career On Lpga A 2nd Shot 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.
Awards and honors While a student-athlete at University of Miami, Rizzo earned All-American honors multiple times. In 1982, she earned LPGA Rookie of the Year honors.
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 (15) LPGA Tour wins (4) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofVictoryRunner(s)-up1Aug 7, 1983Boston Five Classic−11 (66-70-73-68=277)2 strokes Jane Lock2May 26, 1985LPGA Corning Classic−16 (69-68-64-71=272)1 stroke Jane Crafter3May 1, 1988Sara Lee Classic−9 (70-70-67=207)Playoff Tammie Green Sherri Turner Kim Williams4Apr 9, 1989Red Robin Kyocera Inamori Classic−7 (73-67-68-69=277)2 strokes Martha Nause
LPGA Tour playoff record (1–0) No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult11988Sara Lee Classic Tammie Green Sherri Turner Kim WilliamsWon with birdie on fifth extra holeGreen and Williams eliminated by par on first hole
LPGA of Japan Tour wins (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 1991 (1) Yukijirushi Ladies Tokai Classic 1992 (3) Nasu Ogawa Ladies Pro, Takara World Invitational, Fujitsu Ladies
Other wins (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 profile – Barry University