Women‘s Major Champions Episodes

Nancy Lopez was referred to by Kathy Whitworth as the Arnold Palmer of the LPGA Tour and for good reason. Winning 17 times in her first two years on tour, Nancy quickly became the face and the darling of the LPGA. Hear how she balanced life on tour with being a 3-time mother to lovely daughters, traveling with them from stop to stop before daycare was even available on tour. Nancy looks back on her 185 win at the LPGA Championship and talks about finding motivation and recognizing when her compe...

3-time major championship winner, Nancy Lopez remembers the challenges of traveling on the tour in those first few years as a professional. Nancy recounts how she relished competing against the likes of JoAnne Carner, Judy Rankin and others. Listen in as she recalls two of her wins in the LPGA Championship, her first in 1978 and her last in 1989. Nancy was proud to play on the first Solheim Cup team in 1990 with Kathy Whitworth as Captain and feels her favorite golfing memory was being a Captain...

Join us for a riveting conversation with the winner of 48 LPGA Tour events, Nancy Lopez, as she shares her inspiring journey from her time at the University of Tulsa to the top ranks of professional golf. In this episode, Nancy opens up about her life both on and off the greens, providing an in-depth look at the pressures of professional golf and the impact of her father's guidance. Discover how she cleverly navigated the balance between her academics and burgeoning golf career, and the role tha...

World Golf Hall of Fame member Nancy Lopez begins her story growing up and learning the game under the watchful eye of her father in Roswell, New Mexico. She had astounding success as a junior player winning her state's amateur title as a 12, 13 and 14-year-old. Nancy played on the boy's team in high school after successfully challenging an arcane rule that stood in her way. She won the U.S. Girls Junior, the Women's Western Junior 3 times and, competed in the Women's U.S. Open twice (with a T2 ...

The all-time leader in U.S. Tour wins with 88 LPGA victories, Kathy Whitworth takes us down the home stretch of her career from the 1970's forward beginning with her win in the 1971 LPGA Championship at Pleasant Valley CC. Her sixth and final major win came at the 1975 LPGA Championship at Pine Ridge Golf Course. In 1981 she was the first woman to pass the $1M mark in career earnings and in 1982 she tied and then beat Mickey Wright's record of 82 wins. Kathy fondly recalls her experience as the ...

Kathy Whitworth, World Golf Hall of Fame member and winner of six major championships, looks back on her early years on tour in the 1960's, a decade that featured 56 of her 88 LPGA victories and four majors. Kathy fondly recalls winning the final two regular editions of the Titleholders event held at Augusta C.C. and the last Western Open after which, in 1968, there were only two majors to compete for over the next nine years. Listen in as she talks about playing in her first major, the other gr...

World Golf Hall of Fame member and the winningest player on any Tour ever, Kathy Whitworth, begins her remarkable story by sharing how she came to the game of golf at age 15 using her grandfather's clubs and how the local pro, Texas Golf HOF member Hardy Loudermilk, provided early guidance before sending her off to Austin, Texas to see the renowned teacher, Harry Penick. These two men shaped the game of Kathy, who turned professional in 1958 and joined the fledging LPGA Tour the following year. ...

1990 LPGA Championship winner, Beth Daniel looks back on her late wins on tour including her final victory at the 2003 BMO Canadian Women’s Open where, at age 47, she became the oldest winner ever on the LPGA Tour. Listen in as Beth recounts her final tournament, the 2007 Women’s British Open played at the Old Course at St. Andrews. She laments not winning the U.S. Open and takes us through her consecutive close calls with seconds in 1981 and 1982. She played in the first eight Solheim Cups and ...

Winner of 33 LPGA tournaments, Beth Daniel recalls what life was like traveling the country as a tour rookie. Beth recounts her first wins, first in Japan and then in the U.S. at the 1979 Patty Berg Classic. She shares her experiences with some of the early greats in the game like Kathy Whitworth, Judy Rankin and others. Beth talks about her first bout of the yips, what she did to overcome this and the “Zone” she was in winning 11 events over a span of 13 months in 1989 & 1990. She won her only ...

World Golf Hall of Fame member Beth Daniel begins her life story by recollecting her days growing up in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Thanks to her supportive golfing parents, Beth was introduced to the game at age 6 and benefited from fine teachers at her home club like Masters Champion Henry Picard. She won the U.S. Women's Amateur in 1975 and 1977 and in between, was the medalist in 1976. Playing for Furman University with the likes of Betsy King, Sherri Turner and Cindy Farro, Beth and h...

In this final installment of our four-part conversation with LPGA major champion Donna Andrews, we wrap up a remarkable journey through a life dedicated to the game of golf. Donna reflects on her experiences representing the United States in two victorious Solheim Cups—sharing memories of teeing it up alongside Betsy King, squaring off against Helen Alfredsson, and the camaraderie that made those team events unforgettable. She also recalls the pride and challenges of captaining the Junior Solhei...

In Part 3 of our four-part conversation with six-time LPGA Tour winner and major champion Donna Andrews, we continue our journey through the most pivotal moments of her storied career—and some unforgettable adventures along the way. Fresh off her first major championship in 1994, Donna reflects on competing in what may be one of the deepest and most competitive eras in women’s golf, sharing memories of fierce battles with legends like Annika Sörenstam, Nancy Lopez, Betsy King, and Laura Davies....

In Part 2 of our captivating four-part conversation with LPGA star and major champion Donna Andrews, we dive into the early years of her professional journey and the pivotal moments that defined her rise on tour. From navigating the road in a trusty conversion van with an atlas at her side to staying with host families across the country, Donna shares a vivid portrait of what life was like as a young pro in the pre-GPS era. We explore the grind of rookie life, the lessons learned from traveling...

In this first episode of our special four-part conversation with LPGA major champion Donna Andrews, we tee off with a deep dive into her early years and the foundations that shaped a life in golf. A seven-time LPGA Tour winner and Dinah Shore major champion, Donna joins Mike Gonzalez and Bruce Devlin to reflect on her roots in Lynchburg, Virginia, and the vibrant, active upbringing that planted the seeds of her athletic success. From childhood memories of biking, hiking, and long days at the co...

In the final installment of our three-part conversation with 1985 U.S. Women’s Open champion Kathy Guadagnino (Baker), we explore life beyond the ropes as Kathy reflects on the transition from professional golf to a new season of purpose, faith, and service. With her signature warmth and humility, Kathy takes us on a journey through her years playing in Japan—including typhoon-tossed flights, memorable karaoke bus rides, and questionable culinary adventures with Laura Davies. She candidly share...

In this second installment of our three-part conversation with 1985 U.S. Women’s Open champion Kathy Guadagnino (Baker), we journey deep into the most defining moment of her golf career—and the faith that carried her through it. Kathy recounts the pivotal decision to pursue professional golf, guided by a strong spiritual calling and a leap of faith at LPGA Q-School. Listeners will be drawn into the tension and triumph of that qualifying experience, where she tied for low honors alongside Juli I...

In this first episode of our three-part conversation with 1985 U.S. Women’s Open Champion Kathy Guadagnino (Baker), we tee off with a delightful surprise—singing happy birthday to Kathy on the very day of our interview. What follows is a heartfelt and revealing look at the early chapters of a champion’s life. Born in Albany, New York, Kathy reflects on her childhood split between upstate New York and Florida, where her father’s love of golf first planted the seeds of her future in the game. She...

In the heartfelt conclusion of our four-part conversation with 1993 U.S. Women’s Open champion Lauri Merten, we explore life beyond the ropes and the journey that followed her greatest triumph. With sincerity and introspection, Lauri opens up about the challenges of balancing fame, personal relationships, and the emotional toll of a life in competitive golf. She reflects on the impact of her U.S. Open win—from newfound celebrity to the struggles of maintaining her game and marriage. Lauri share...

In this third installment of our four-part conversation with 1993 U.S. Women’s Open Champion Lauri Merten, we dive headfirst into the emotional and unforgettable week at Crooked Stick that changed her life forever. With raw honesty and captivating detail, Lauri takes us through the rollercoaster of self-doubt, resilience, and unlikely triumph that defined her historic victory. Coming off a missed cut the week prior and wrestling with confidence issues, Lauri describes how a simple shopping trip...

In Part 2 of our four-part conversation with 1993 U.S. Women’s Open Champion Lauri Merten, we explore the winding and often challenging road that led her to the LPGA Tour—and her breakthrough victory. Lauri shares her early experiences playing in professional events as a teenager, including a memorable LPGA event at Sun City with her father on the bag and her stunning 67 that made her an overnight leader. From those formative moments, we follow her journey through Q-School heartbreak, internati...

In this first installment of our four-part conversation with 1993 U.S. Women’s Open Champion Lauri Merten, we journey back to where it all began. A self-proclaimed “cheesehead” born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Lauri shares her early memories of snowy winters, fried cheese curds, and a childhood move to Arizona that would unknowingly set her on the path to major championship glory. Lauri opens up about a childhood shaped not by early athletic success, but by determination, resilience, and a tight-kn...

In the powerful conclusion to our four-part conversation with two-time major champion Jane Geddes, we explore the remarkable evolution of a player who redefined what life after golf can look like. From the fairways to the front office, Jane’s post-playing journey is as bold and fascinating as her competitive career. Jane shares how she pivoted from the LPGA Tour to academia, earning a law degree and quickly transitioning into a leadership role within the LPGA’s executive team. She offers behind...

In Part 3 of our captivating four-part conversation with 11-time winner on the LPGA Tour Jane Geddes, we follow her remarkable journey through one of the most successful and adventurous stretches of her LPGA career. With honesty and humor, Jane reflects on the realities of life on tour—moments of quiet solitude after victory, the grind of relentless travel, and the friendships that made it all worthwhile. Jane shares unforgettable stories from her international triumphs, including wins in Austr...

In Part 2 of our four-part conversation with two-time major champion Jane Geddes, we dive into the incredible early successes that vaulted her onto the LPGA stage—and into the record books. Jane takes us back to 1986, when she burst onto the scene with a stunning victory at the U.S. Women’s Open at NCR Country Club. With humility and humor, Jane recounts her mindset heading into the championship, including the surreal feeling of playing in a “bubble,” her unmatched confidence in her swing, and h...