Michelle Wie West already has left a lasting legacy on the sport of golf. This week, as she prepares for her final event — the U.S. Women’s Open in Pebble Beach, Calif. — she reflected on her career in the spotlight.
“I think that one word comes to mind: Bold,” she said Tuesday. “Made a lot of bold choices in my career, and I’m proud of it. I’m proud of being fearless at times and just doing what felt right.
“I hope that I inspire a lot of other girls to make bold and fearless decisions and choices in their careers, as well.”
Wie West played at Stanford and later won her first LPGA event in 2009 at age 20, but the expected superstardom never came.
She captured her first and only major at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2014, a feat celebrated with fellow champions on Monday night.
At the gathering, Wie West gained a deepened appreciation for those who forged a path to the success enjoyed by today’s women’s golf pros.
“Every time you have interactions with the older generation, you just realize that we all have a job because of them,” Wie West said, “because they were our founders, because of the women that came before us, because of all the hard work and things that they did to make the Tour better.
“It’s a big reason why our purse is now $2 million this year, and it’s incredible to hear their stories.”
As for day-to-day life in the present, Wie West cited her “competitive drive” as one of the more difficult traits to channel.
“When you’re a professional athlete, the highs are so high, and the lows are so low,” she said. “Honestly for the past year, I haven’t felt that highs of high, but I also haven’t felt the lows of low.”
Now 33, the iconic golfer is married to the son of an icon. Jonnie West, son of Jerry (believed to be the model for the league’s logo), and Wie West exchanged vows in August 2019 and have a daughter, Makenna.
“It’s strange,” Wie West says of her life now. “… You go out there and you eat three meals, you take care of your daughter, and at night you watch Netflix.”
She told Golf Channel on Tuesday that being a mother has been her biggest achievement to date, but her reach extends far beyond her immediate family.
Wie West’s influence on young stars includes a special connection with fellow Stanford standout Rose Zhang, though Wie West defers the credit to Zhang.
“She’s really done it all on her own,” Wie West said. “I really hope that I can be a sounding board for her.
“To all the younger players out here, I’ve told them I’m just a phone call or text away.”
Zhang spoke of their relationship, specifically referencing Wie West’s eager assistance and valuable advice over the past few years.
“I’m super excited for what she’s doing to come because she has a lot of big things ahead of her,” Zhang said. “Not just from golf. That inspires me.”
Wie West’s immediate future includes an 8:28 a.m. PT tee time on Thursday, in a group with fellow legend Annika Sorenstam of Sweden and three-time major champ In Gee Chun of South Korea.
She would like nothing better than to be walking up 18 with the title on the line.
“Yeah, I’ve definitely thought about the final walk, and gosh, I hope it’s in the final group with everyone watching,” she said. “That would just be so incredible.”
She won’t miss the putting drills, she said, but the activity this week has been overwhelmingly positive.
“So all that stuff I’m doing for the last time, the last practice rounds, getting the line, writing in my yardage book. It’s a pretty cool feeling, and I feel incredibly blessed,” Wie West said. “I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting, and incredibly blessed for the journey that I have and the family that I’ve built.
“It’s just a really cool week to be here.”
–Field Level Media