Margot Robbie in talks to play role in new golf movie

Oscar-nominated actress Margot Robbie is in talks to star in a new golf movie based on the career of LPGA Tour player and World Golf Hall of Famer Jan Stephenson.

Stephenson, who won three major titles and 16 LPGA events as part of 41 worldwide victories, helped raise the profile of ladies golf and garnered attention for embracing and championing her appearance in marketing the Tour. 

The Australian helped found the Women's Senior Tour, where she played for several year, and she dived into course design, on top of producing a number of specific golf workout videos.

Stephenson told in an interview with Golf Australia that she has discussed the possibility of a movie with Robbie, who received an Oscar nomination for her role as figure skater Tonya Harding. 

“We’ve talked about doing a movie,” said Stephenson. “Margot Robbie wants to play me.”

Robbie, 28, also hails from Australia and is best known for her roles in The Wolf of Wall Street, Suicide Squad and I, Tonya, where she played the controversial Harding.

Robbie has spoken in the past about playing roles that highlight female empowerment.

Stephenson was the first in the women’s game to be featured on the cover of magazines worldwide, often depicted in images that were considered racy at the time. It was a photograph of Stephenson lying in a bathtub full of golf balls that became iconic.

While the attention made her popular, she worried the promotional work detracted from what she really wanted, which was to be taken seriously for her accomplishments in golf and considered for the Hall. 

Stephenson was one of five people o be named in the Class of 2019 to join the World Golf Hall of Fame - other notables include Retief Goosen and Billy Payne. 

“I didn’t know that I would get recognised for the other things that I’ve done,” Stephenson said about her business endeavors. “I actually didn’t think I would ever get it. That’s probably why I’m so emotional and so happy.”