When the LPGA bet big on sex appeal: The wild career of Jan Stephenson
Jan Stephenson carved out a Hall of Fame career on the LPGA, but more than her 16 wins, she was known for the tour’s aggressive plan to market her appearance. In this episode, Keely Levins looks at the extraordinary attention Stephenson received in her career, the problems it caused her, and how many of the challenges she faced then still permeate through women’s sports today.
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Show Notes
Jan Stephenson won 16 times on the LPGA, including three majors, but in the 1970s, the tour sought to market the Australian as more than just a talented player. From her photoshoots in a nightgown or in a bathtub full of golf balls, Stephenson faced backlash from fellow competitors who thought marketing players’ appearance diminished their abilities as athletes. Yet the controversies around Stephenson didn’t end there. She dated a series of famous men, was once removed from a golf course and brought to a psychiatric hospital, and lost her game when a mugging left her with broken fingers. In this episode, Keely Levins looks at Stephenson’s journey on tour, the criticism she faced, and the underrated career she carved out as a result.
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