Video And Essay: Mickey Wright Turns 80

We vowed earlier this week on Morning Drive to start enjoying the living legends better with the recent losses of so many great contributors to the sport.

There's no better way to start than reading Bill Fields at ESPNW, who talks to the rarely-interviewed Wright.

One of many interesting anecdotes:

Wright doesn't watch as much professional golf on television as she once did, unenthused as she is with what is often demanded (or not) of today's elite. "Driver and a wedge, driver and wedge. It gets a little old," she said. "It does not seem that interesting to me anymore. I like Martin Kaymer. Who else gets my attention? The guy with the great build who took his pants off and went in the water -- Henrik Stenson, that's right. I like him. Oh, I'll tell you somebody who impresses me: Lucy Li."

Li, the 12-year-old Californian who qualified for the 2014 U.S. Women's Open at the record age of 11 and impressed with her performance at Pinehurst No. 2 Course, has become more than an image on Wright's TV and score on her computer.

"She got my email address from somebody at the USGA and we've been corresponding some for about six months now," Wright said. "She had read my instruction book quite a few times, and she had her aunt take some video of her swing and send it to me. I made a couple of comments which she seemed to take to. I mentioned a couple of technical points, but the main thing was just don't get messed up with too much instruction and keep doing what you're doing."

ESPN also published this YouTube clip of Wright's swing, which many have said is the best ever.

Rich Lerner filed this piece on GolfChannel in celebration of Wright's 80th.

Also posted are these excerpts of a phone interview Wright gave.