Rich Beem

Rich Beem Bio

Richard Michael Beem, known professionally as Rich Beem, is an American professional golfer who competed on the PGA Tour and is best known for his upset victory at the 2002 PGA Championship. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Beem built a career defined by a single major triumph and a colorful public persona that has translated well into broadcasting. He later transitioned to senior golf and television analysis, becoming a familiar voice and face for fans of the sport.

Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 165 pounds, Beem has long been recognized as one of the more approachable figures in professional golf, frequently interacting with fans and bringing humor to his commentary work.

Early Life and Background

Richard Michael Beem was born on August 24, 1970, in Phoenix, Arizona. He grew up in El Paso, Texas, where he developed an early interest in golf and spent countless hours refining his game on local courses. The dry climate and wide-open landscapes of the American Southwest helped shape his comfort playing in warm, exposed conditions throughout his career.

Beem played college golf at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, where he honed the competitive skills that would later serve him on professional tours. The university’s program gave him a foundation in tournament golf and prepared him for the demands of professional play. After completing his collegiate career, he chose to pursue professional golf full-time.

Path to Professional Golf

Beem turned professional in 1994 and began the long climb through mini-tour events and Monday qualifiers. His early years were marked by financial uncertainty and the constant pressure of retaining playing status. At one point, he stepped away from competition to sell car stereos and cell phones in Seattle, a stretch that nearly ended his career before it truly began.

His interest in competitive golf was reignited after watching fellow professional J. P. Hayes win the 1998 Buick Classic. Inspired by that victory, Beem returned to the game with renewed focus and quickly re-established himself. Within a year, he earned his PGA Tour card and made an immediate impact, signaling the start of a remarkable rise that would peak in one of golf’s biggest events.

Rich Beem Career

Early Career (1994-1998)

Following his decision to turn professional in 1994, Beem spent several seasons grinding on developmental circuits while working odd jobs to make ends meet. He played mini-tour events and tried to qualify for larger tournaments, learning the rhythms and pressures of competitive golf away from the spotlight. His time away from the game, including his stint in Seattle selling car stereos and cell phones, taught him resilience and gave him perspective on how quickly a golf career can slip away.

When he committed fully to returning to competition, Beem rebuilt his game methodically, sharpening his ball-striking and improving his course management. That preparation set the stage for his breakthrough on the PGA Tour at the end of the decade.

PGA Tour Breakthrough (1999-2002)

Beem announced himself to the golf world in 1999 when he won the Kemper Open as a rookie on the PGA Tour, a remarkable feat that immediately placed him on the map. The victory validated his decision to return to professional golf and confirmed that he possessed the talent to compete at the highest level. His early play was also chronicled in the book Bud, Sweat and Tees, a lively account of his rookie year written by Alan Shipnuck.

Beem’s career reached its peak in 2002. Earlier that season, he won The International in Castle Rock, Colorado, demonstrating that his rookie success had been no fluke. Two weeks later, he arrived at Hazeltine National for the 2002 PGA Championship and produced the performance of his life. After opening with a 72, Beem fired a six-under 66 to grab a share of the lead, then held his position through a 72 in the third round. In the final round, he shot a 68 and held off Tiger Woods, who birdied his last four holes but finished one shot behind, to claim one of golf’s four major championships. The win propelled him to a career-high ranking of 16th in the Official World Golf Ranking in July 2003.

Post-Major Years and Champions Tour Era (2003-Present)

After his major triumph, Beem continued to play the PGA Tour, posting several strong finishes but not securing another victory. Notable results included a runner-up finish to Tiger Woods at the 2003 Western Open and a playoff loss to Phil Mickelson at the 2005 Bellsouth Classic. In 2007, he produced one of the most memorable moments of his career when he made a hole-in-one at the 14th hole during the Nissan Open at Riviera Country Club, climbing atop the new red Altima coupe he had won and pretending to drive it in a celebration later featured in a Nissan commercial.

Beem’s career took a difficult turn in 2010 when he underwent back surgery to repair damage to his C6 and C7 vertebrae, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. He struggled to regain form in 2011, making just five cuts in 21 events and losing his PGA Tour card. In 2012, he played the European Tour, using the final year of his ten-year exemption earned from his 2002 PGA Championship win. He later transitioned to the PGA Tour Champions and the European Senior Tour, where he has continued to compete. He also joined Sky Sports in 2015 as a television commentator and golf analyst, and served as a color commentator for the video games PGA Tour 2K21 in 2020 and PGA Tour 2K23 in 2022.

Notable Events and Milestones

Beem’s signature moment remains his 2002 PGA Championship victory at Hazeltine National, where he held off Tiger Woods on a memorable Sunday afternoon. Beyond the major, his 1999 Kemper Open win as a rookie stands as a defining early milestone, while his celebrated hole-in-one celebration at the 2007 Nissan Open became one of the most replayed highlights in golf television history.

Rich Beem Career Wins

Rich Beem has accumulated four professional wins across multiple tours, including three PGA Tour victories and one European Tour title. His PGA Tour career is highlighted by the 1999 Kemper Open, The International in 2002, and the 2002 PGA Championship, the last of which remains his most celebrated achievement.

PGA Tour Highlights

Beem’s three PGA Tour wins bookend the most successful period of his playing career. He opened his victory account at the 1999 Kemper Open as a rookie, then added The International and the 2002 PGA Championship in the same banner season. Despite a playoff loss on the PGA Tour, his major championship title secured his place among major winners and granted him a ten-year exemption on the European Tour.

Rich Beem Family

Personal Life

Rich Beem resides in Austin, Texas, where he has settled in the years following his competitive prime. He is widely regarded as one of the more accessible and personable figures in professional golf, frequently engaging with fans and offering thoughtful commentary in his broadcasting work.

2025 Season Outlook

Heading into 2025, Rich Beem continues to balance his playing career on the PGA Tour Champions and European Senior Tour with his role as a television analyst. His work with Sky Sports has made him a recognizable voice in golf coverage, and he remains active in sponsor appearances and corporate outings tied to his major championship pedigree.

While he has not added another PGA Tour victory since 2002, Beem continues to compete in senior majors, where his experience and major-winning resume keep him relevant in the field. His commentary roles for both television and video games have expanded his presence in the sport, ensuring that he remains a familiar name to younger audiences discovering golf through digital platforms.

Looking ahead, Beem is expected to maintain his broadcasting commitments while selectively entering senior events. Encouragement from fellow professional David Duval during a difficult stretch in the late 2010s helped him stay connected to competitive golf, and that influence continues to shape his approach to the game.