Ranking Rankin

Just watched much of the British Women's Open and have to say that Judy Rankin is the numero uno golf "color" commentator on tv, period, men's or women's game. Her knowledge is vast, her efforts to research new information relentless and her modulated tone is perfect for credibility and understanding. Kudos to you Judy!

Yes, she does great work. A naturally classy lady.

Agreed. #1.

I actually love the LPGA coverage. Just the right amount of people on air... almost. Stupples is not needed as a voice. But they could use another on-course reporter. I think The Open only had Jerry Foltz following the leaders on Sunday(?).

Great crew over all. They should be proud of the work they do, and Judy is the Star of that cast.

I like Judy. She can be very critical, but never harsh.

> @OBbogey5 said:

> Agreed. #1.

>

> I actually love the LPGA coverage. Just the right amount of people on air... almost. Stupples is not needed as a voice. But they could use another on-course reporter. I think The Open only had Jerry Foltz following the leaders on Sunday(?).

>

> Great crew over all. They should be proud of the work they do, and Judy is the Star of that cast.

They usually have two reporters on the course following the last two groups. Karen was on the course when Judy took over in the booth at the 3 hour mark.

What I consistently get from Judy's commentary is a different insight than any other commentators provide, men's or women's. While others were surprised at how Shibuno performed under the heavy media and public gaze at the British Open, Judy pointed out that the Japanese Tour (Shibuno, a 2x winner there in this her rookie year) has much more media and public scrutiny and attention, that the Women's British Open just isn't that new oh my gosh thing to her.

In 2015, a 20 year old Jin Young Ko came within three shots of winning the WBO, finishing 2nd to Inbee. At the time she was a sophomore on the KLPGA, and had four wins. So Yeon and In Gee both won majors as non-LPGA players, The JLPGA and KLPGA can't be dismissed.

> @Argonne69 said:

> In 2015, a 20 year old Jin Young Ko came within three shots of winning the WBO, finishing 2nd to Inbee. At the time she was a sophomore on the KLPGA, and had four wins. So Yeon and In Gee both won majors as non-LPGA players, The JLPGA and KLPGA can't be dismissed.

JLPGA doesn't deserve to be lumped in with KLPGA IMO. As of now I still consider Shibuno's win an outlier.

> @legitimategolf said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > In 2015, a 20 year old Jin Young Ko came within three shots of winning the WBO, finishing 2nd to Inbee. At the time she was a sophomore on the KLPGA, and had four wins. So Yeon and In Gee both won majors as non-LPGA players, The JLPGA and KLPGA can't be dismissed.

>

> JLPGA doesn't deserve to be lumped in with KLPGA IMO. As of now I still consider Shibuno's win an outlier.

In general I agree, but keep in mind that there are a number of talented ex-KLPGA players playing on the JLPGA.

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @legitimategolf said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > In 2015, a 20 year old Jin Young Ko came within three shots of winning the WBO, finishing 2nd to Inbee. At the time she was a sophomore on the KLPGA, and had four wins. So Yeon and In Gee both won majors as non-LPGA players, The JLPGA and KLPGA can't be dismissed.

> >

> > JLPGA doesn't deserve to be lumped in with KLPGA IMO. As of now I still consider Shibuno's win an outlier.

>

> In general I agree, but keep in mind that there are a number of talented ex-KLPGA players playing on the JLPGA.

I know we are wandering far away from the topic, but I had been wondering about that too. Other than Jiyai Shin, I assumed they just go over there to cash in on their good looks (Shinae Ahn, Haneul Kim, Chaeyoung Yoon et al).

Yes, hands down for me, Judy Rankin is the best commentator for LPGA. She does her homework, and knows how to balance both positive and negatives without being dramatic or condescending. I hope they don't lose her as a gem of a commentator.

As for JLPGA vs KLPGA vs LPGA -- you'll be surprised at the new generation of Japanese players coming up -- they call it the golden generation of 20 yr olds so I won't be surprised if JLPGA gives KLPGA a run for their money (in terms of competition). No doubt KLPGA has more legacy / tradition producing lady golf stars but I sense JLPGA will catch up the next few years (could be knee jerk, could be not). My view is that the Japanese golfers are usually content playing in their own tour - it's a more Japanese cultural thing (hard to explain, have to live there to know). Lots of my Japanese friends prefer to return to Japan than live/work abroad after our US studies - a bit of language, a bit of culture, etc. Also, worth noting that if it's just for $, JLPGA vs LPGA purse isnt that big of a difference. But, I've also digressed... :)

> @legitimategolf said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > > @legitimategolf said:

> > > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > > In 2015, a 20 year old Jin Young Ko came within three shots of winning the WBO, finishing 2nd to Inbee. At the time she was a sophomore on the KLPGA, and had four wins. So Yeon and In Gee both won majors as non-LPGA players, The JLPGA and KLPGA can't be dismissed.

> > >

> > > JLPGA doesn't deserve to be lumped in with KLPGA IMO. As of now I still consider Shibuno's win an outlier.

> >

> > In general I agree, but keep in mind that there are a number of talented ex-KLPGA players playing on the JLPGA.

>

> I know we are wandering far away from the topic, but I had been wondering about that too. Other than Jiyai Shin, I assumed they just go over there to cash in on their good looks (Shinae Ahn, Haneul Kim, Chaeyoung Yoon et al).

Cash in on the bigger paychecks is more likely. For example, this weeks Jeju Samdasoo KLPGA event has a purse of $658,000. The winner will collect ~$130k. Last week's Daito Kentaku Eheyanet JLPGA event had a purse of $1.32 million. The winner collected $203k.

I had Kayo commentators, and I don't know who they were- despite some internet digging. Helen Alfredson was one, and she is a total loose cannon. It seems to me that some of the providers bring out some supposed "A team" for the majors - but actually they know less than the regulars. Give me Judy Rankin, Tom Abbott, and that on course guy who whispers - any day!

I agree Judy is the best sports analyst anywhere, any sport. She not only knows what to say and when to say it but her concise language and diction make you pay attention. Many of these attributes cannot be taught. Her insights last week with a player no one in the U.S. had seen were meaningful not trivial.

I think she is exceptional. Humble, funny, never over talks like Stubbles, and always has great insight.

> @munichop said:

> I agree Judy is the best sports analyst anywhere, any sport. She not only knows what to say and when to say it but her concise language and diction make you pay attention. Many of these attributes cannot be taught. Her insights last week with a player no one in the U.S. had seen were meaningful not trivial.

Her concise language is something that pretty much every other golf announcer needs to learn!

Yep, Judy is one of the best and a class act. I remember pro wannabe Anna Rawson called her out on some commentary a few years back and got roasted online for it lol. I'll admin I piled on as well >:)

Thank you all for your comments. What's most surprising here is the lack of any negative or even neutral comments about JR's tv work. That's not the way it usually works on these discussions. What it says to me is that a kind, knowledgeable and concise way of pointing out good or bad is something we all can appreciate.

A soft Texas accent and unimpeachable playing credentials go a long way. Add in the fact she often actually has something useful to say and that she never tries to be funny or "entertaining" and you've got a complete commentator package. Hard to find fault with that. I like her.

My favorite Judy comment was when she explained how with modern fairway woods and hybrids, each player has the option of dialing in whatever trajectory she likes with the longer clubs. Then she added, "But you still have to figure out on your own how to hit it where you're aiming, they don't have a club that can do that for you".

Well said.

> @juliette91 said:

> Thank you all for your comments. What's most surprising here is the lack of any negative or even neutral comments about JR's tv work. That's not the way it usually works on these discussions. What it says to me is that a kind, knowledgeable and concise way of pointing out good or bad is something we all can appreciate.

OK, I'll say it. Sometimes I think she's a tad too nice. You can tell she's holding back criticism, probably because she's fairly close to the players. Johnny Miller would say what he thinks, and deal with the blowback.

My favorite Judy quote was from the 2012 U.S. Women's Open: "You know, short and straight is highly underrated".

Feel free to say it! I'm sure there's always that player connection issue, but how it's handled is always the test.