Jack Nicklaus hosts the Memorial Tournament each year at his Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. The Memorial is one of the premier events on the PGA Tour and boasts one of the strongest fields year in and year out.
The Memorial is also special because each year they “honor the memory of individuals living and deceased who have distinguished themselves in the game of golf”. The 2019 Memorial Tournament Honoree is Judy Rankin.
To many, Judy is best known for her skills as a TV commentator. She became the first female golf broadcaster in 1984, when she was hired by ABC Sports. She continues to provide expert analysis and commentary to this day for the Golf Channel and ESPN.
Before picking up the microphone, however, Judy had a fine playing career on the LPGA Tour, where she won 26 times. She won the Vare Trophy for lowest stroke average in 1973, 1976, and 1977. She was LPGA Player of the Year and leading money winner in 1976 and 1977.
Judy captained the United States to consecutive victories in the Solheim Cup in 1996 and 1998, the latter held at Muirfield Village Golf Club. She considers that the highlight of her career.
Judy is both an LPGA legend and a broadcasting pioneer.
