Long before Paige Spiranac turned social media into a fairway of influence, there was Jan Stephenson. And she didn't just pose—she won.
The LPGA Hall of Famer, now 74, recently reflected on her trailblazing career and the unique role she played in lifting women's golf during the 1970s. At a time when the tour struggled for attention and sponsors, Stephenson became its most unexpected—and effective—ambassador.
"If I'd had Instagram and Facebook back then, I probably would've been an even bigger star and made a lot of money from it," she says with a laugh. But even without today's digital tools, Stephenson carved out a powerful legacy.
Her 27 professional wins include 16 on the LPGA Tour, with three major championships—most notably the 1983 U.S. Women's Open. Those achievements earned her a well-deserved spot in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2019. She was more than a "sex symbol" or "pin-up girl," labels that the press loved to attach. She was a competitor first, and a catalyst for change second.
What set Stephenson apart was her purpose. While today's influencers often build personal brands for profit, Stephenson used her image to serve a bigger cause: saving the LPGA Tour. At a time when Nancy Lopez was electrifying the game with her talent, Stephenson brought star power that drew eyes and dollars to women's golf. She did it with the blessing—and even encouragement—of tour commissioner Ray Volpe.
"I did it to help the Tour because it was struggling," Stephenson says. That selflessness, combined with her competitive fire, made her a legend in every sense of the word.
This week, Stephenson was back in the spotlight, joining 17 other former LPGA stars for a charity scramble at LPGA International. The Legends of the LPGA Tour event raised nearly $100,000 for the Air Warrior Courage Foundation, a cause close to her heart. The native Australian, who has called Florida home for decades, now runs the Jan Stephenson Crossroads Foundation in Tampa, using golf to support military veterans.
Her post-LPGA life remains busy, and her celebrity status endures—a testament to the foundation she built more than 40 years ago. Whether posing for the cover of Sport Magazine or famously "soaking" in a bathtub of golf balls for a calendar shoot, Stephenson understood that visibility could be a powerful tool. She just made sure she had the trophies to back it up.