Who's who: Judy Rankin

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Who's who: Judy Rankin

  • Name:

    Judy Torluemke Rankin
  • Country:

    USA
  • Born:

    Feb 18, 1945 in St Louis , Missouri.
  • Original/Home Club:

  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer; television commentator.
  • Turned Pro:

    1962 (aged 17)

Roll of Honour

Solheim Cup non-playing captain (1996, '98). Total professional wins (28), including LPGA Tour (26). LPGA Tour leading money winner and Player of the Year (1976, '77). Old Tom Morris Award (2010, GCSAA). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 2000).

Did you know?

From 1962 through 1983 Rankin pursued a highly successful career on the LPGA Tour, winning no less than 26 times. She did not record wins in any major championships, although two of the events she won (1976 Dinah Shore and 1977 Peter Jackson Classic) became major championships in later years.

Rankin was the LPGA Tour's leading money winner in 1976 and '77, as well as Player of the Year in the same two seasons, and a three-time Vare Trophy winner. She was twice the non-playing captain of Solheim Cup teams (1996, '98); the USA team won on both occasions.

Joining the LPGA Tour as Judy Torluemke, it was only after her marriage to Walter 'Yippy' Rankin in 1967 that the wins started to flow. As Judy Rankin she recorded her first LPGA Tour win in 1968, and maintained that winning habit until 1979. After her LPGA Tour career she became a television commentator and anaylst, as well as a writer and adviser for golf magazines.

Top tournaments won by Judy Rankin

1979
America
Meadow Brook, NY
288 (-4)
$15,000
Western Union Intl

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Meadow Brook, NY

Score

288 (-4)

Prize money

$15,000

Title sponsor

Western Union Intl

Played as the WUI Classic. Beth Daniel (USA) finished 2 shots behind defending champion Rankin (USA), who recorded the last of her 26 LPGA Tour wins. [Meadow Brook Club, Jericho, Long Island, NY].

1978
America
North Hills CC, NY
283 (-9)
$15,000
Western Union Intl

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

North Hills CC, NY

Score

283 (-9)

Prize money

$15,000

Title sponsor

Western Union Intl

Played as the WUI Classic (sponsor: Western Union Intl). Debbie Massey (USA) and Pam Higgins (USA) finished 2 shots behind Rankin (USA). [North Hills CC, Manhasset, Long Island, NY].

1977
Europe
281 (-15)
US$15,000
Colgate

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Score

281 (-15)

Prize money

US$15,000

Title sponsor

Colgate

Played as the Colgate European Women's Open (Aug 3-6; LPGA Tr event). Second-placed Nancy Lopez (USA) finished 6 shots behind Judy Rankin (USA), who recorded her second win in this event in four years. [Old course, Sunningdale GC, Sunningdale, Berks].

1977
Awards
72.16
n/a
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Score

72.16

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

Rankin (USA) won her third (and second straight) Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.

1977
America
Lachute GC
212 (-4)
$12,000
Peter Jackson

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Lachute GC

Score

212 (-4)

Prize money

$12,000

Title sponsor

Peter Jackson

Played as the Peter Jackson Classic (Jul 1-3). Second-placed Pat Meyers (USA) and Sandra Palmer (USA) finished 1 shot behind Judy Rankin (USA). [Club de Golf Lachute, Lachute, Québec].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Score

202 (-17)

Prize money

$9,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the LPGA National Team Championship (Sept 16-18; unofficial LPGA Tr team event). JoAnne Carner (USA) & Judy Rankin (USA) beat Betty Burfeindt (USA) & Pam Higgins (USA) with Carner's eight-foot birdie putt at the first playoff hole. [Columbia Edgewater CC, Portland, Oregon].

1977
Awards
66 pts
n/a
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Score

66 pts

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

Rankin (USA) won her second straight LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.

1977
America
Harbour Trees
212 (-4)
$7,500
Mayflower

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Harbour Trees

Score

212 (-4)

Prize money

$7,500

Title sponsor

Mayflower

Played as the Mayflower Classic. Second-placed Jane Blalock (USA) finished 2 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Harbour Trees GC, Noblesville, Indiana].

1977
Awards
$122,890
see Score
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Score

$122,890

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

Rankin (USA) won her second straight LPGA Tour Money List, with 1977 season earnings of $122,890 on the Tour. JoAnne Carner (USA) was second on the money list.

1977
America
Bent Tree CC, FL
209 (-7)
$15,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Bent Tree CC, FL

Score

209 (-7)

Prize money

$15,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Bent Tree Ladies Classic. Second-placed Clifford Ann Creed (USA) finished 4 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Bent Tree CC, nr Sarasota, Florida].

1977
America
Pasadena GC
208 (-8)
$7,500
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Pasadena GC

Score

208 (-8)

Prize money

$7,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Orange Blossom Classic. Second-placed Joyce Kazmierski (USA) finished 5 shots behind Rankin (USA), who recorded her 20th LPGA Tour win. [Pasadena GC, Gulfport, Florida; now called Pasadena Yatch & CC].

1976
America
Tanglewood Club, OH
287 (-1)
$15,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Tanglewood Club, OH

Score

287 (-1)

Prize money

$15,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Babe Zaharias Invitational. Rankin (USA) won by one shot over second-placed Jane Blalock (USA). [Tanglewood Club, Chagrin Falls, Ohio].

1976
America
McCormick Ranch
205 (-11)
$14,000
Ping

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

McCormick Ranch

Score

205 (-11)

Prize money

$14,000

Title sponsor

Ping

Played as the Karsten Ping Open. Second-placed Sandra Post (Can) finished 7 shots behind Rankin (USA). [McCormick Ranch GC, Paradise Valley, nr Phoenix, AZ].

1976
America
Riviera CC, Ohio
205 (-11)
$10,000
Borden

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Riviera CC, Ohio

Score

205 (-11)

Prize money

$10,000

Title sponsor

Borden

Played as the Borden Classic. Second-placed Pat Bradley (USA) and Hollis Stacy (USA) finished 5 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Riviera CC, Dublin, Ohio, which permanently closed in 2015].

1976
Awards
$150,734
see Score
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Score

$150,734

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

Rankin (USA) won the LPGA Tour 1976 Money List, with earnings of $150,734 on the Tour. Donna Caponi (USA) was second on the money list.

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Score

285 (-3)

Prize money

$32,000

Title sponsor

Colgate

Played as the Colgate Dinah Shore Winners Circle (5th) (April 1-4). Second-placed Betty Burfeindt (USA) finished 3 shots behind Judy Rankin (USA). [Dinah Shore Tournament course, Mission Hills CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].

1976
Awards
79 pts
n/a
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Score

79 pts

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

Rankin (USA) won the LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.

1976
Asia
216
$10,000
Colgate

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Score

216

Prize money

$10,000

Title sponsor

Colgate

Played as the Colgate Hong Kong Open. Chako Higuchi finished in second place behind Rankin.

1976
America
Kendale Lakes CC
213 (-3)
$5,700
Burdine's

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Kendale Lakes CC

Score

213 (-3)

Prize money

$5,700

Title sponsor

Burdine's

Played as Burdine's Invitational. Second-placed Pat Bradley (USA) finished 3 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Kendale Lakes CC, nr Miami, FL; now called Miccosukee G&CC].

1976
Awards
72.25
n/a
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Score

72.25

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

Rankin (USA) won her second Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.

1975
America
Pinehurst CC, CO
207 (-9)
$5,700
Natl Jewish Hosp.

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Pinehurst CC, CO

Score

207 (-9)

Prize money

$5,700

Title sponsor

Natl Jewish Hosp.

Played as the National Jewish Hospital Open. Second-placed Jane Blalock (USA) and defending champion Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 2 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Pinehurst CC, Denver, Colorado].

1974
America
Pine Ridge, MD
144 (-2)
$5,700
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Pine Ridge, MD

Score

144 (-2)

Prize money

$5,700

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Baltimore Classic (for the last time until 1977). Second-placed Susie Berning (USA), Marilynn Smith (USA), Carol Mann (USA) and Kathy Whitworth (USA) finished 1 shot behind defending champion Rankin (USA). [Pine Ridge GC, Baltimore, Maryland].

1974
Europe
218 (+2)
£4,000
Colgate

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Score

218 (+2)

Prize money

£4,000

Title sponsor

Colgate

Played as the inaugural Colgate European Women's Open (Aug 7-10; unofficial LPGA Tr event). Sue Roberts (USA) and Mary Mills (USA) finished 5 shots behind Judy Rankin (USA). [Old course, Sunningdale GC, Sunningdale, Berks].

1973
America
Raleigh CC
217 (+1)
$4,500
American Defender

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Raleigh CC

Score

217 (+1)

Prize money

$4,500

Title sponsor

American Defender

Played as the American Defender Raleigh Classic. Second-placed Chako Higuchi (Jpn) finished 2 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Raleigh CC, Raleigh, North Carolina].

1973
America
Riviera CC, Ohio
212 (-4)
$5,250
Pabst

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Riviera CC, Ohio

Score

212 (-4)

Prize money

$5,250

Title sponsor

Pabst

Played as the Pabst Ladies Classic. Second-placed Debbie Austin (USA) finished 3 shots behind Rankin (USA), who recorded her 10th LPGA Tour win. [Riviera CC, Dublin, Ohio, which permanently closed in 2015].

1973
America
Forty Niner CC
215 (-1)
$5,250
GAC

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Forty Niner CC

Score

215 (-1)

Prize money

$5,250

Title sponsor

GAC

Played as the GAC Classic. Rankin (USA) beat Sandra Palmer (USA) with a par at the third playoff hole. Gerda Boykin (Ger) was eliminated at the first playoff hole. [Forty Niner CC, Tucson, AZ].

1973
America
Pine Ridge, MD
215 (-4)
$4,500
Carling

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Pine Ridge, MD

Score

215 (-4)

Prize money

$4,500

Title sponsor

Carling

Played as the Lady Carling Open. Second-placed Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 4 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Pine Ridge GC, Baltimore, Maryland].

1973
Awards
73.08
n/a
LPGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Score

73.08

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

LPGA Tr

Rankin (USA) won the Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Score

210 (-9)

Prize money

$3,750

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Lady Eve Open. Rankin (USA) beat Kathy Whitworth (USA) with an eagle at the first playoff hole, having eagled the same hole when played as the 72nd hole in regulation play. [Memorial Park GC, Houston, TX].

1972
America
Heritage Village CC
212 (-7)
$3,750
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Heritage Village CC

Score

212 (-7)

Prize money

$3,750

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Heritage Village Open. Second-placed Betty Burfeindt (USA) finished 5 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Heritage Village CC, Southbury, Connecticut].

1971
America
Lake Waco CC
214 (-2)
$3,000
Quality First

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Lake Waco CC

Score

214 (-2)

Prize money

$3,000

Title sponsor

Quality First

Played as the Quality First Classic. Rankin (USA) beat Jane Blalock (USA) with a par at the second playoff hole. [Lake Waco CC, Waco, Texas].

1970
America
Round Hill CC
217 (-2)
$3,450
Lincoln

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Round Hill CC

Score

217 (-2)

Prize money

$3,450

Title sponsor

Lincoln

Played as the Lincoln-Mercury Open. Second-placed Kathy Whitworth (USA) finished 1 shot behind Rankin (USA). [Round Hill CC, Alamo, California].

1970
America
Northwood Hills
209 (-10)
$3,000
Jaycee

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Northwood Hills

Score

209 (-10)

Prize money

$3,000

Title sponsor

Jaycee

Played as the Springfield Jaycee Open. Lesley Holbert (USA) finished 1 shot behind Rankin (USA). [Northwood Hills, Springfield, Ohio].

1970
America
Hidden Spring GC
212 (-7)
$3,750
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Hidden Spring GC

Score

212 (-7)

Prize money

$3,750

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural George Washington Golf Classic. Second-placed Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 1 shot behind Rankin (USA), who recorded her second LPGA Tour win. [Hidden Spring GC, Horsham, Pennsylvania; now called Commonwealth Natl GC].

1968
America
Pharaoh CC
213 (+3)
$1,875
Civitan

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Rankin, Judy

Venue

Pharaoh CC

Score

213 (+3)

Prize money

$1,875

Title sponsor

Civitan

Played as the Corpus Christi Civitan Open. First-time LPGA Tour winner Rankin (USA) beat Sandra Spuzich (USA) with a par at the second playoff hole. [Pharaoh CC, Corpus Christi, Texas; now permanently closed].

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