A final round 68 at Hazeltine National Golf Club was enough for the American to cause an upset and claim the defining victory of his career.
Beem turned pro in 1994 but fell out of love with the game and became a car stereo and cellphone salesman in Seattle. Regained his interest in golf after fellow Texan J P Hayes won on the PGA Tour in 1998 and that spurred Beem onto good times on the course once again. He would win three times on the PGA Tour with the 1999 Kemper Open and then The International in 2002 just two weeks before claiming his Major crown in Minnesota.
Beem has become a commentator and Sky Sports analyst since 2015, covering PGA Tour events along with the Majors and Ryder Cup’s.

In 2025, Rich Beem participated in several senior golf tournaments, including the Senior PGA Championship and the ISPS HANDA Senior Open. At the Senior PGA Championship, held at Congressional Country Club, he shot rounds of 77 and 80, totalling 157 (+13) Senior PGA Championship. In the ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Sunningdale Golf Club, Beem posted scores of 76 and 75, finishing with a total of 151 (+11).