We see them often in the moments after the final putt drops. The spouses and partners of the world’s best players celebrating victories in front of TV cameras on golf’s biggest stages.
What we don’t see all that often are the sacrifices and the daily acts of support that wives, husbands and partners offer without much fanfare. On social media many share those details increasingly more with their fans. But you may not know that among the significant others at golf’s elite level, there are college coaches, former Division I golfers and basketball and tennis players, long-drive champs and social media gurus.
Here’s a fun look at some of golf’s great power couples.
Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky
Dustin Johnson and his wife Paulina Gretzky watch on the 18th hole during day two foursomes rounds for the 43rd Ryder Cup golf competition at Whistling Straits. (Photo: Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)
Dustin Johnson earned a hefty $15 million paycheck by capturing the 2020 FedEx Cup. DJ was the PGA Tour Player of the Year in 2016. Paulina is the daughter of Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky and actress Janet Jones. They got married in April 2022.
Rickie Fowler and Allison Stokke
Rickie Fowler and his girlfriend Allison Stokke poses with the trophy during the final round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany course on December 3, 2017 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by Ryan Young/PGA TOUR)
Rickie Fowler and Allison Stokke tied the knot late in 2019. Stokke was a pole vaulter at Cal after setting national records in high school.
Michelle Wie and Jonnie West
Michelle Wie, left, walks off the ninth green with then-fiance Jonnie West during the first round of the LPGA Tour ANA Inspiration golf tournament at Mission Hills Country Club on April 4, 2019, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Wie announced her engagement to West, the son of NBA legend Jerry West, using #WieGoesWest on social media. West is an executive with the Golden State Warriors. Wie, who won the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open, had a daughter — Makenna Kamalei Yoona West — who was born in June.
Jon Rahm and Kelley Cahill
Kelley Cahill (left) talks with husband Jon Rahm (right) after he wins The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jon Rahm and girlfriend Kelley Cahill were engaged in 2018 and were married in December 2019 in Spain in the Catholic church he grew up attending. After winning the Spanish Open in October, Rahm took a month off ahead of the wedding.
Sergio and Angela Garcia
Sergio Garcia of Spain poses with his wife Angela Akins Garcia and daughter Azalea Adele Garcia as he celebrates following his victory during Day Four of the KLM Open at The International Golf Course on September 15, 2019 in Badhoevedorp, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Sergio Garcia and Angela Garcia (née Akins) were married in 2017. Angela is a part of University of Texas royalty, the daughter of former UT QB Marty Akins and herself played on the college golf team. They have one child, aptly named Azalea.
Stacy Lewis and Gerrod Chadwell
Stacy Lewis and Gerrod Chadwell (Eli Murray Photography)
Stacy Lewis and her husband Gerrod Chadwell tied the knot in 2016. Chadwell coaches the University of Houston women’s golf team. She earned LPGA Player of the Year honors in 2012 and 2014.
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll
Erica Stoll and Rory McIlroy of Europe attend the 2016 Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony at Hazeltine National Golf Club on September 29, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy met his wife, a former PGA of America employee, at the 2012 Ryder Cup when he famously overslept due to the time change and needed a ride to the course. The couple became engaged in December 2015 in Paris, and married in April 2017 at Ashford Castle in Cong, County Mayo. They announced the birth of their first child, daughter Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, in August 2020.
Brittany Lincicome and Dewald Gouws
Brittany Lincicome and husband Dewald Gouws with their baby girl, Emery Reign Gouws. (Diamond Resorts)
Brittany Lincicome and her then-fiance Dewald Gouws got married in 2015. The two have a daughter, Emery. Gouws is a long drive champ.
Jordan Spieth and Annie Verret
Jordan Spieth of the United States and fiance Annie Verret react following defeat during singles matches of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 30, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
The long-time couple met in high school and tied the knot in November 2018. Verret is very active in various charitable efforts and has worked as an event coordinator for The First Tee of Greater Dallas, which looks to inspire underprivileged children through golf, and The Birthday Party Project, which looks to host birthday parties for homeless children. They welcomed their first child, Sammy, in November 2021.
Tiger Woods and Erica Herman
United States playing team captain Tiger Woods celebrates with girlfriend Erica Herman after the U.S. won the Presidents Cup in Melbourne on December 15, 2019. (Photo: William West/AFP)
Tiger Woods keeps a tight circle on the road while traveling. It includes girlfriend Erica Herman, a constant presence with him at nearly every tournament. She was there with Woods and his children to celebrate Tiger’s 80th career PGA Tour victory at the 2018 Tour Championship as well as his 15th career major at the 2019 Masters Tournament.
Brooks Koepka and Jena Sims
Brooks Koepka and Jena Sims attend the ESPN ESPY’s Official Pre-Party at Hotel Figueroa on July 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images)
Brooks Koepka already has four majors while his girlfriend Jena Sims is a model and actress. They got married in 2022.
Jack and Barbara Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus and his wife Barbara watch the action during the Nationwide Challenge nine-hole skins match Benefiting Nationwide Children’s Hospital prior to The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on July 15, 2020 in Dublin, Ohio. Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Jack and Barbara Nicklaus remain golf’s reigning Royal Couple. The couple celebrated their 60th anniversary in June 2020. Barbara Nicklaus often has been referred to as the “First Lady of Golf,” and has focused her attention and influence on youth-related charitable causes and volunteerism. In 2015, she won the USGA’s Bobby Jones Award. In 2019, she won the 2019 PGA Distinguished Service Award.
