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Since she first tried golf at age 15 with her grandfather's clubs on a nine-hole course in Jal, N.M., Kathy Whitworth knew what she wanted to do.

Forget tennis.

"Golf just grabbed me by the neck," she said, "and I don't think I ever played tennis again."

The confluence of events was remarkable and fortunate: The pro at the nine-hole course was Harvey Loudermilk, later the PGA Golf Professional of the Year at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio. Loudermilk mentored Whitworth, then packed the teenager and her mother off to Austin for periodic tutorials from the great Harvey Penick.

Only two years after taking up golf, Whitworth, a native of Monahans, Texas, won the New Mexico amateur title and retained it the next year.

Turned pro in 1958 at 19. Considered quitting the next year until she tied for 16th in a North Carolina tournament. Won $33.

Called home to tell her parents she'd stick it out.

Won her first tournament in 1962. Until 1979, she won at least once every year.

Won eight in '65, nine in '66, eight in '67 and 10 in '68. By the time she claimed her last victory, the United Virginia Bank Classic in 1985, she had piled up an incredible 88 titles.

More than Mickey Wright. More than Sam Snead. More than any other golfer.

Over the years since she retired from the LPGA Tour in 1990, whenever she'd leave her Flower Mound home each year for the junior girls tournament that bears her name in Fort Worth, or to teach lessons at nearby Trophy Club or for tournaments around the country, Whitworth would be asked if anyone had a shot at her record.

Annika Sorenstam was the most likely, with 72 victories at 37. And despite the retirement promises last week, Whitworth doesn't count her out.

"I don't understand why there's an announcement at this point," said Whitworth, 68. "She could have a really great year and change her mind.

"She loves this game. It's hard to leave it. Michael Jordan retired three times, you know."

Whitworth needed only one. In the two decades since, she's become one of the game's great ambassadors, like the late Byron Nelson, revered by golfers young and old. A most difficult trick, at that.

Almost as hard as winning 88 times. Back in the day, she never thought about how often she'd won, only about winning that week.

And now that her record appears safe? Can she enjoy it at long last?

"It is a milestone, I guess," she said. "It's nice to have. I'm not going to say it isn't."

Fun to look back on, anyway, like all the rest.

"Just a Cinderella story," is how she puts it.

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