She won two majors, but Pepper's career victory total of 17 is the lowest of any golfer in our Top 25. So her career value is below anyone ranked ahead of her, and several of those ranked behind her. But her peak value was very high. From 1991-96, Pepper finished no lower than fifth on the money list and won 12 times. In 1992, she led in money and scoring and was Player of the Year. Pepper is another player whose career was first impacted, then ended early, by injuries.
24. Donna Caponi
Caponi's career had a bit of an odd trajectory. But the end result was 24 wins and four majors. She won majors in 1969 and 1970, then cooled off, then 10 years later won more majors. Caponi won 10 times total in 1980-81, then never won again.
23. Meg Mallon
Like Hollis Stacy, Meg Mallon has 18 wins and four majors. But Mallon posted those titles in a career that spanned a slightly later time period on the LPGA Tour (and slightly later means slightly more depth on Tour), was better longer, and was better at her best.
22. Laura Davies
Twenty career wins on the LPGA Tour, four majors, around 30 wins on other tours, an LPGA money title, an LPGA Player of the Year award, and several Ladies European Tour money titles. Laura Davies clearly deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame, even though she sits two points short of automatic induction.
21. Joyce Wethered
Wethered was the greatest female golfer of the pre-World War II era. Many rank Glenna Collett Vare ahead of her, but Wethered was the better player based on results and what her contemporaries said about her. The results: Vare and Wethered met in competition three times, and Wethered won all three times. The testimonials: Among others, Bobby Jones said he felt "outclassed" by Wethered's ballstriking. Her career was short, but dominating. She also ranks as one of the all-time best with a driver.
