Michelle Wie West Reflects on Life After LPGA Tour
After stepping down from the LPGA Tour in 2023, golf icon Michelle Wie West found herself questioning her purpose. At just 33, following nearly three decades of playing golf since she was four years old, she candidly pondered, “What’s next for me?”
Speaking about her experience, Wie West, now 35, shared that her retirement has offered her a unique journey. Partnering with Acuvue, she expressed that while it’s been over two years since she left competitive golf, she is grateful for this newfound time. “I felt almost guilty about being able to be with my children,” she mentioned, realizing the beauty in the simple moments she now experiences.
Reflecting on motherhood, she noted the differences she felt after the birth of her first child. “After having Makena, I returned to the course just days postpartum. It was liberating not to feel guilty whether I was practicing or with my child,” she remarked.
Wie West, the 2014 US Women’s Open Champion, balances her family life with husband Johnny West—son of NBA legend Jerry West—and their children, Makena and Jaguar. They celebrated their marriage, which took place in August 2019, along with their family milestones.
She acknowledged the complexities of being a professional athlete, especially when it means dedicating all your mental energy to the sport. “I admire other sports moms because it’s such a juggling act. Having this guilt-free time has been refreshing,” she admitted.
The 2023 US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach marked her last event on tour. Despite various injuries over the years, Wie West embraced retirement on her own terms. Yet, she wrestled with her relationship with workouts as she reflected on her past commitments.
“Stopping everything was a relief,” she confessed. “After over two decades on tour, I realized my gym routine was often about avoiding pain rather than enjoying fitness.”
Since retiring, Wie West has since returned to running, even completing a half marathon. “Reconnecting with my body has been empowering, especially through the changes of pregnancy and postpartum,” she noted, also sharing her enjoyment of tennis and pickleball while using Acuvue contact lenses to manage her astigmatism.
When considering her rise to fame as a young star in golf, she remarked on the pressures of social media today. “I can’t imagine being 14 in this era with constant scrutiny,” she reflected, highlighting how different things are now compared to her youth.
Wie West made history as the youngest player to qualify for an LPGA event at age 12, which raised high expectations for her career. “I think about young athletes today and how they’re always under the spotlight. There’s no escaping it,” she said.
Regarding the evolving landscape of golf, she believes influencers and content creators have significantly broadened the sport’s appeal. “It’s refreshing to see golf becoming accessible to everyone, and platforms like YouTube are fostering that growth,” she mentioned.
With a substantial Instagram following, Wie West shares lifestyle content that resonates with fans. Her advocacy for women’s sports continues to be a priority. Earlier this year, she invested in TogethXR, a media firm, while also committing to a multi-year ambassador role with the Mizuho brand and hosting the Mizuho Americas Open tournament.
“I have many sponsors and responsibilities now, but it feels different compared to the constant travel,” she joked about this new chapter in her life, likening her commitments to raising another child.
