HOF golfer Judy rankin diagnosed with breast cancer

From Golf World-

June 8 -- Hall of Fame player Judy Rankin has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing treatment that will curtail her broadcasting career for an undermined length of time. Rankin, 61, was told she had cancer three weeks ago and has undergone two surgical procedures with more treatment to follow.

"I have cancer, I'm just having to deal with it," Rankin told GolfDigest.com. "I don't at this point know what my timetable will be for the rest of the year in terms of work. I need a week to 10 days to figure that out. It is what they term a low-grade of cancer. I have already done the testing, and now I have to take steps to get rid of it. I am told that I will be fine."

Rankin was one of the first teenagers to play professional golf, turning pro at the age of 17 after winning the Missouri Amateur at the age of 14 and finishing as low amateur in the U.S. Women's Open the next year. She went on to a professional career that included 26 LPGA victories despite being forced into retirement at the age of 38 by chronic back problems. She was twice LPGA Player of the Year and won the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average three times. In 2000, she became the first player voted into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame under the veterans category and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame later that year.

Rankin, who works as a golf commentator for ABC and ESPN as well as serving as a professional advisor for Golf Digest and Golf For Women magazines, was also captain of the U.S. Solheim Cup team in 1996 and 1998, leading the Americans to victory both times. She last appeared on the air at the Sybase Classic in May.

I noticed Judy's absence during last week's Shop-rite Classic. One of ESPN 2's announcers made mention of it but I don't recall any mention of cancer. Get well Judy and good luck.

On a unrelated note. Golf is one of my favorite sports to watch. One thing that infuriates me are the errors made by the media covering the tours. I've seldom seen a worse group of hacks in the MSM. They either are lazy or lacking in professionalism when it comes to covering the sport.

The most recent example is here. Among the mistakes in this listing for this week's LPGA Championship are

1- Se Ri Pak a future HOFer is listed with a last name of Ri. She's been on tour for 9 years and going in the Hall of Fame and you don't know her last name?

2- Shi Hyun Ahn being listed as having never played in the event. The South Korean native nicknamed 'Cinderella' finished 2nd in the 2004 LPGA Championship.

And I can't get media credentials to an LPGA event because I'm only a blogger not a real journalist. Wants to make one scream sometimes.

Open Post- Basil's Blog,