Richard Michael Beem was born on 24 August 1970 in Phoenix, Arizona, and raised in El Paso, Texas. His father, Larry Beem, was the golf coach at New Mexico State University, where Rich later played college golf.

Beem turned professional in 1994, but became disillusioned with the game in 1995 and briefly quit to sell car stereos and mobile phones in Seattle for $7 an hour — he still reportedly carries his old salesman’s badge as a reminder. Watching fellow Texan J.P. Hayes win on tour in 1998 reignited his interest, and he returned via Q-School.

He won the 1999 Kemper Open as a rookie, then The International in 2002, before claiming the biggest win of his career two weeks later: the 2002 PGA Championship at Hazeltine, edging out Tiger Woods by one stroke with a final-round 68. He finished his PGA Tour career with three wins, plus one European Tour title.

Since 2015, Beem has worked as a golf analyst and commentator for Sky Sports Golf, with other fellow presenters like Nick Dougherty and Iona Stephen, covering the PGA Tour, majors and the Ryder Cup, while also competing on PGA Tour Champions and the Legends Tour in senior events.