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Commentator, ABC Sports
Billy Ray Brown joined ABC Sports in 1999 as a commentator on the network's golf coverage following wrist surgery that prevented him from playing on the PGA TOUR. He returned to the tour in 2001 and played in nine events and two in 2002, but he still doubles as an on-course reporter for ABC Sports' coverage of the PGA TOUR, Senior PGA Tour and LPGA.
Brown turned pro in 1987 and first joined the PGA TOUR in 1988. In his career he has three TOUR victories -- 1991 Greater Hartford Open, 1992 Byron Nelson Classic and the 1997 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic -- and 16 top-10 finishes. In 1990 he was tied for lead through 54 holes of U.S. Open at Medinah, but missed a 15-foot putt on the 72nd hole that would have put him in the playoff with Hale Irwin and Mike Donald.
A four-time All-America selection at University of Houston, Brown won the NCAA Championship as a freshman in 1982 and, along with teammate Steve Elkington, led Houston to three NCAA team championships.
Brown resides in Missouri City, Texas, with his wife, Cindy, and two daughters. His father, Charlie, was a tackle for the Oakland Raiders and his brother, Chuck, playerd center for the St. Louis Cardinals.