Juli Inkster

Juli Inkster Bio

Juli Simpson Inkster, born June 24, 1960, in Santa Cruz, California, is an American professional golfer whose career on the LPGA Tour has spanned more than four decades. With 31 victories on the LPGA Tour, she ranks among the most accomplished players in tour history and is the only golfer to win at least two major championships in each of three consecutive decades. Inkster is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, a record holder in Solheim Cup competition, and one of the most respected figures in women’s golf.

Beyond her playing career, Inkster has served as a United States Solheim Cup captain and as a television analyst, continuing to shape the game long after her peak competitive years. Her longevity, consistency, and major-championship success have made her a defining figure of her generation in women’s golf.

Early Life and Background

Juli Simpson Inkster was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California, where she grew up in a region known for producing strong amateur golfers. She graduated from Harbor High School in 1978 and went on to play college golf at nearby San Jose State University, a program with a rich tradition in the sport. During her time at San Jose State, she earned All-American honors in 1979, 1981, and 1982, and was named the university’s Athlete of the Year in 1981.

Inkster’s amateur record set her apart from her peers. From 1980 to 1982, she won three consecutive U.S. Women’s Amateur titles, becoming the first woman since 1934 to accomplish that feat. Her first Amateur victory came just three weeks after her marriage to Brian Inkster, whom she wed in 1980. She also won the 1981 California Women’s Amateur Championship and the 1982 Broderick Award as the nation’s top female collegiate golfer.

Her success extended to team competition, where she represented the United States at the Espirito Santo Trophy in 1980 and 1982, and was part of the winning U.S. Curtis Cup team in 1982. These amateur accomplishments established her as a rising star long before she reached the LPGA Tour.

Path to Professional Golf

Inkster turned professional in 1983 and immediately found success, winning the Safeco Classic in her rookie season on the LPGA Tour. The following year, she captured two major championships and was named the LPGA Rookie of the Year, a remarkable beginning that signaled the start of a long and distinguished career.

Her amateur pedigree translated smoothly to the professional ranks. By the time she joined the LPGA Tour, she had already been recognized as one of the most decorated amateur golfers in American history, and she carried that confidence into the professional game. Her ability to perform under pressure in match play and stroke play helped her establish herself as a consistent contender throughout the 1980s and beyond.

Juli Inkster Career

Early Career (1983–1989)

Inkster’s early professional years were defined by rapid success. After winning on tour in 1983, she added two major titles in 1984, including her first victory at the du Maurier Classic and her first Chevron Championship. Her best season-long finish during this stretch came in 1986, when she ended the year ranked third on the LPGA Tour money list.

She continued to add victories through the late 1980s, including a second Chevron Championship title in 1989. By the end of the decade, Inkster had already established herself as one of the premier players in women’s golf, with multiple major championships and a reputation for steady, intelligent play.

Major Championship Success (1999–2002)

The late 1990s and early 2000s marked the most dominant period of Juli Inkster’s career. In 1999, she won both the U.S. Women’s Open and the Women’s PGA Championship, earning recognition as the GWAA Female Player of the Year and the Women’s Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year. The following season, she added a second Women’s PGA Championship title and received the ESPY Award for Best Female Golfer.

Inkster’s major championship run reached a peak in 2002, when she captured her second U.S. Women’s Open title, completing one of the most impressive stretches in LPGA history. Her success across three decades made her the only golfer in tour history to win two majors in a decade for three consecutive decades, a record that underscores her remarkable consistency and longevity.

Solheim Cup Leadership (2015–2019)

Beyond her playing record, Inkster became one of the most successful figures in Solheim Cup history. She holds the distinction of being the winningest American player in Solheim Cup matches, accumulating 18.5 points across her appearances in 1992, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011. She also served as a playing assistant captain in 2011, becoming the oldest player and first playing assistant captain in the event’s history.

Inkster later transitioned to the captain’s role, leading the United States team to victory in the 2015 Solheim Cup with a historic final-day comeback at 14.5 to 13.5. She repeated as captain in 2017, guiding the Americans to a 16.5 to 11.5 win, and led the team again in 2019 at Gleneagles, where Europe won by a narrow 14.5 to 13.5 margin.

Broadcast and Senior Career (2014–Present)

Following her playing career, Inkster transitioned into broadcasting, beginning a role as a golf commentator for the Golf Channel in 2014. She later joined Fox Sports in 2015 to provide commentary on USGA events, bringing her expertise to a broader television audience. In parallel, she competed on the Legends Tour, winning four senior events and finishing as runner-up at the 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

In 2022, she received the Bob Jones Award, the most prestigious honor given by the United States Golf Association, recognizing her distinguished sportsmanship and contributions to the game. She also received the LPGA Patty Berg Award in 2009 and the William and Mousie Powell Award in 2004 and 2015, further cementing her legacy as one of the most respected figures in the sport.

Notable Events and Milestones

Among Inkster’s most significant achievements is her record as the winningest American in Solheim Cup history, with 18.5 career points. She is also the only golfer in LPGA Tour history to win two majors in a decade across three consecutive decades, a feat unmatched in the modern era. Her induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2000 and her receipt of the Bob Jones Award in 2022 stand as lasting recognition of her impact on the game.

Juli Inkster Career Wins

Juli Inkster has compiled 45 professional victories across multiple tours, including 31 wins on the LPGA Tour, 2 on the Ladies European Tour, and additional wins on the Legends Tour and in other events. Her career total of more than $14 million in official earnings places her among the top earners in LPGA history.

LPGA Tour Highlights

Inkster won her first LPGA Tour event at the 1983 Safeco Classic and went on to capture seven major championships, completing the career Grand Slam in women’s golf. Her major titles include the du Maurier Classic (1984), the Chevron Championship (1984, 1989), the Women’s PGA Championship (1999, 2000), and the U.S. Women’s Open (1999, 2002). She won at least one tournament in 16 of 24 seasons from 1983 to 2006, demonstrating remarkable consistency throughout her career.

Other Wins and Performances

Inkster has recorded 2 wins on the Ladies European Tour and has been a successful competitor on the Legends Tour, where she has earned four titles. She also finished as runner-up at the 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, one of the premier events in senior women’s golf.

Juli Inkster Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Juli Inkster married Brian Inkster in 1980, shortly before the start of her most successful amateur season. The couple has two daughters, Hayley and Cori, both of whom have been part of her life throughout her professional career. She has resided in Los Altos, California, where she has built her home and family life.

Personal Life

Inkster continues to live in Los Altos, California, with her family. She remains actively involved in golf through her broadcasting work, occasional Legends Tour appearances, and her enduring connection to the LPGA Tour. Her daughters have grown up around the sport, and her family has been a constant presence throughout her career.

2025 Season Performance

As of 2025, Juli Inkster remains connected to the golf world through her broadcasting and ambassadorial roles, contributing commentary and analysis for major tournaments. While her competitive appearances have become less frequent in recent years, her presence at events and her ongoing influence in the sport continue to shape the game for new generations of players.

Inkster’s legacy in 2025 is defined less by active competition and more by her enduring impact on women’s golf. As a World Golf Hall of Fame member, a Bob Jones Award recipient, and the winningest American in Solheim Cup history, she remains a touchstone for excellence and longevity in the sport. Her influence is felt through her broadcasting work, her mentorship of younger players, and her historic achievements that continue to set the standard in women’s golf.