Michelle Wie West’s return to competitive golf has proven to be quite brief.
After a two-round performance of 75 and 74, the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open champion unfortunately did not make the cut at what was thought to be her final tournament, held in Southern California.
Having stepped away from professional golf in 2023, Wie West aimed to dedicate her time to family and recover from a series of injuries that had marred her career.
Her last U.S. Open appearance was three years ago at Pebble Beach, where she struggled with back-to-back rounds of 79, failing to score a birdie.
At age 36, Wie West marked her return this year at the Mizuho Americas Open, an event she hosted, as well as this year’s U.S. Women’s Open. Notably, the Riviera Country Club holds significance for her, as it was a former club of her father-in-law, NBA legend Jerry West, who passed away in 2024 at 85.
Since turning professional just before her 16th birthday in 2005, Wie West has achieved five titles on the LPGA Tour, including her sole major championship in 2014.
In 2019, she married Johnny West and now has two children: Makenna, born in 2020, and Jagger, born in 2024.
Even though Wie West didn’t qualify for Riviera, the experience of playing pain-free while having her kids present was heartwarming.
As her round concluded, Makenna joyfully dashed down the green to greet her.
Longtime friend Jessica Korda expressed her happiness about Wie West being able to play without discomfort. “It was always crucial for her to be able to hold her children and engage in sports with them as they grow,” Korda remarked.
Reflecting on her journey, Wie West mentioned, “My husband and I often discuss this. I’ve made it a point to share with my daughter that the focus should be on having a good attitude and trying your best, rather than fixating on the outcome.”
She added, “I’d be dishonest if I said I wasn’t a bit let down. I put in the effort and wanted to compete, but honestly, I still had fun.”
