Golf is a sport that requires physical and mental toughness, and women golfers are no exception. While some may view smoking as a hindrance to their performance, some successful female golfers have defied this stereotype by continuing to smoke while competing at a high level.
Danielle Kang, Akiko Fukushima, and JoAnne Carner are all professional golfers who have smoked cigarettes while playing at the highest level. These golfers have achieved success despite their smoking habits, suggesting that it’s possible to be a successful athlete and a smoker.
The rest of this article will focus on the experiences of these three women and how they’ve been able to remain successful despite their smoking habits.
1. Danielle Kang
Kang, a 6-time LPGA Tour winner, and former Women’s U.S. Open champion, is one of the most successful female golfers in history who was deeply influenced by her father before he passed away. She won back-to-back United States Women’s Amateur championships in 2010 and 2011, and her father caddied for her during the tournaments.
She was in constant communication with her father before and after every competitive round and felt like she was playing for him after he was diagnosed with cancer. After his death, she struggled with her grief and took it out on golf, feeling like it took away the time she could have spent with her father. However, her attitude and practice habits improved after a dream in which her father spoke to her and told her she wasn’t practicing hard enough.
Kang carries her father’s favorite brand of cigarettes, Dunhill, in her golf bag and lights one before every tournament to remember and calm herself. On visits to her father’s grave, she lights a few cigarettes in his honor and leaves them near the grave. She believes that her father was with her when she sank a birdie putt at the 72nd green at Olympia Fields and that he already knew she had put in the effort and hard work.
2. Akiko Fukushima
Akiko Fukushima is a former Japanese professional golfer known for her impressive skills and charismatic personality. She competed in various tours, including the PGA, LPGA, Asian and European Tours, and was highly popular among fans. She made the cut in a men’s tournament in South Korea and is known for her impressive performance and ticket-selling power.
During a round at the former Kraft Nabisco Championship, where she played as an amateur, Fukushima was spotted smoking cigarettes behind trees while playing alongside future golf phenom Michelle Wie. Despite her habit, she continued to compete at a high level and made a formidable opponent for any golfer who crossed her path.
3. JoAnne Carner
JoAnne Carner, often affectionately known as “Big Mama,” is a Hall of Fame golfer who had a successful career in the sport. Throughout her career, Carner won a total of 43 LPGA Tour events, including two major championships, the U.S. Women’s Open in 1971 and 1976. She was also a two-time winner of the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.
Carner was known for her exceptional length off the tee and her powerful driving ability, which earned her the nickname “The Big Mama.” She was also known for her strong short game, which helped her succeed in clutch situations. Her friendly and approachable personality endeared her to fans and fellow players alike.
In addition to her talent on the golf course, Carner was also an avid smoker, often lighting up a cigarette during her rounds. Despite this habit, she continued to excel in golf and established herself as one of the best players in women’s golf history.