Michelle Wie West retired from the LPGA Tour in 2022, but has one year of eligibility left to play in the U.S. Women’s Open, thanks to her victory at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2014. She couldn’t pass up the opportunity to use it at Riviera Country Club, and Wie West announced on Instagram that she will be playing the major in June.
Winners of the U.S. Women’s Open receive a 10-year exemption to the major, and Wie West’s exemption was extended two years to 2026 due to maternity leave.
The 36-year-old mother of two, who won five times on the LPGA, left professional golf to focus on her family, and because she’d been battling long-term injuries. In particular, her right wrist has caused her significant problems for years.
In 2023, Wie West played the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach with her husband, NBA executive Jonnie West, on the bag. The tournament was meant to be a farewell, and she fittingly finished by making a 30-footer for par on the 18th on Friday, though missed the cut by shooting two 79s. After the round, she said there was a small chance that moment wasn’t the final goodbye.
“You never say never,” Wie West said at the time, “but a very slim chance probably.”
Wie West’s Riviera U.S. Women’s Open announcement comes a month after she signed on to join WTGL that will be comparable to the tech-infused men’s league. The league is slated to launch this winter.
All of this to say, Wie West must be feeling pretty good about her game. We’ll have to wait until June to find out just how good.
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Main Image: Ezra Shaw
