American · Fort Smith, USA · Born 16 February 1985American LPGA golfer who won the 2011 Kraft Nabisco Championship and 2013 Women's British Open, later captaining the US Solheim Cup team.
Stacy Lewis was born on 16 February 1985 in Toledo, Ohio, and was diagnosed with scoliosis at just 11 years old after a school screening exam revealed asymmetry in her back. For seven and a half years, she wore a rigid back brace for up to 18 hours a day, removing it only to play golf, before finally shedding the brace at 18, only for her spinal curvature to continue progressing to the point that surgery became necessary. Lewis had already accepted a golf scholarship to the University of Arkansas when the surgery was recommended, and she missed her entire freshman season recovering from spinal fusion before returning to become a four-time All-American, winning the SEC Freshman of the Year award as a redshirt freshman in 2005. Lewis turned professional in 2008 and won her first major at the 2011 Chevron Championship, going on to capture a second major at the 2013 Women's British Open and winning LPGA Player of the Year honours in both 2012 and 2014. Lewis has continued to compete on the LPGA Tour, and has become a prominent advocate for scoliosis awareness through her own foundation, drawing on her personal journey to support young people facing the same diagnosis that once threatened to end her golf career before it truly began.
Two-time major champion and 2023/2024 US Solheim Cup captain
How They Played
Consistent ball-striker with strong mental game and course management
Lasting Impact
Pioneering American golfer who overcame scoliosis to reach world No. 1
Career Honours
- Kraft Nabisco Championship 2011
- Women's British Open 2013
- LPGA Player of the Year 2012, 2014
- Solheim Cup winner 2015, 2017
American Athletes