Michelle Wie West
Michelle Wie West | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Personal information | |||||
Full name | Michelle Sung Wie West (Korean name: Wie Sung-Mi) | ||||
Nickname | Big Wiesy | ||||
Born | Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. | October 11, 1989||||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||
Sporting nationality | United States | ||||
Residence | San Francisco, California, U.S. | ||||
Spouse |
Jonnie West (m. 2019) | ||||
Children | 1 | ||||
Career | |||||
College | Stanford University (ineligible for golf team) | ||||
Turned professional | 2005 | ||||
Current tour(s) | LPGA Tour (joined 2009) | ||||
Professional wins | 5 | ||||
Number of wins by tour | |||||
LPGA Tour | 5 | ||||
Best results in LPGA major championships (wins: 1) | |||||
Chevron Championship | 2nd: 2014 | ||||
Women's PGA C'ship | 2nd: 2005 | ||||
U.S. Women's Open | Won: 2014 | ||||
Women's British Open | T3: 2005, 2017 | ||||
Evian Championship | T16: 2015 | ||||
Achievements and awards | |||||
|
Michelle Wie | |
Hangul | 미셸 위 |
---|---|
Revised Romanization | Misyel Wi |
McCune–Reischauer | Misyel Wi |
Wie Sung-mi | |
Hangul | 위성미 |
Hanja | 魏聖美 |
Revised Romanization | Wi Seongmi |
McCune–Reischauer | Wi Sŏngmi |
Michelle Sung Wie West (/ˈwiː/; born October 11, 1989) is an American professional golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour. At age 10, she became the youngest player to qualify for a USGA amateur championship. Wie also became the youngest winner of the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links and the youngest to qualify for an LPGA Tour event. She turned professional shortly before her 16th birthday in 2005, accompanied by an enormous amount of publicity and endorsements.[1][2][3] She won the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year in 2004[4] and her first and only major at the 2014 U.S. Women's Open.
Early life, family and education
[edit]Wie was born on October 11, 1989, in Honolulu, Hawaii. She is the only child of immigrant parents from South Korea who came to the United States in the 1980s. Her father, Byung-wook Wie, is a former professor of travel industry management at the University of Hawaii. Her mother, Bo, was South Korea's women's amateur golf champion in 1985,[5] and competed in a Miss Korea beauty pageant. Her paternal grandfather, Sang-Kyu Wie, a resident of Jangheung, Jeollanam-do, was an emeritus professor at Seoul National University.[6][7] When she was born, Wie was a dual citizen of South Korea (by jus sanguinis) and the United States (by jus soli). She renounced her South Korean citizenship in February 2013.[8]
Wie graduated from Punahou School in Honolulu in June 2007. On December 19, 2006, she announced that she would be attending Stanford University, where there are family ties. Her paternal grandfather was a visiting professor, and an aunt and uncle are both graduates.[9][10] She enrolled in September 2007 as a freshman, but as a professional golfer, Wie was not eligible under NCAA rules to play for Stanford's golf team.[11][12] During her first three years at Stanford, she attended only during the fall and winter quarters, running from late September through mid-March each year.[13] She took leaves of absence during the rest of the year to play professional golf.[14][15] Wie completed her studies at Stanford in March 2012 with a major in communications. She participated in the university's graduation ceremony in June 2012.[16][17]
Amateur career (2000–2005)
[edit]Wie began playing golf at the age of four. In 2000, at the age of ten, she became the youngest player ever to qualify for the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship. Eight years later, Wie's mark was surpassed by fellow Hawaiian Allisen Corpuz, who qualified when she was five months younger than Wie had been when she set the record.[18] Wie remained the youngest player to advance to match play in this tournament, until 2014 when Lucy Li surpassed her by one week.[19] In 2001, at the age of 11, she won both the Hawaii State Women's Stroke Play Championship and the Jennie K. Wilson Women's Invitational. The Jennie K. Wilson Women's Invitations is the oldest and most prestigious women's amateur tournament in Hawaii.[18] She also advanced into match play at the Women's U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.
In 2002, she won the Hawaii State Open Women's Division by thirteen shots. She also became the youngest player to qualify for an LPGA event, the Takefuji Classic held in Wie's home state of Hawaii. While she went on to miss the cut, her record stood for five more years until it was broken in 2007 by 11-year-old Ariya Jutanugarn.[20][21]
At the 2003 Kraft Nabisco Championship, Wie became the youngest player to make an LPGA cut. She carded a 66 in the third round, tying the amateur record for a women's major championship and qualifying her to play in the final group of the championship. In June 2003, Wie won the Women's Amateur Public Links tournament, becoming the youngest person ever, male or female, to win a USGA adult event. Later that summer, she made the cut at the US Women's Open when she was still just 13, the youngest player ever to do so.[22]
Wie was given a sponsor's exemption to the 2004 Sony Open in Hawaii, becoming the fourth, and youngest, female to play a PGA Tour event. Her second round score of 68 was the lowest ever by a woman in a PGA Tour event, though she went on to miss the cut in the tournament. While missing the cut by 1 stroke she bettered the 36 hole score of 47 men including 4 major winners and matched the scores of 15 more men including 3 more major winners. At age 16, 2 years later she shot another round of 68 in the men's tour Sony open and bettered the 36 hole score of 18 men including 2 major winners and matched the score of 9 others including 1 major winner.[23] She again played in the LPGA Kraft Nabisco Championship, finishing fourth. As part of the victorious U.S. team, she became the youngest woman ever to play in the Curtis Cup tournament. Wie started her 2005 season by accepting another sponsor's invitation to play on the PGA Tour at the Sony Open in Hawaii, where she again missed the cut. She played five more LPGA Tour events that year as well as a PGA Tour event, the John Deere Classic. It was her third outing at a PGA Tour event; she missed the cut by two strokes.[24] She entered qualifying for the U.S. Amateur Public Links and became the first female golfer to qualify for a USGA national men's tournament, tying for first place in a 36-hole qualifier for the U.S. Amateur Public Links. Wie made the top 64 in the stroke play rounds to qualify for match play.[25] She lost in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Clay Ogden.
On October 5, 2005, a week before her 16th birthday, Wie announced that she was turning professional. She signed sponsorship contracts with Nike and Sony reportedly worth more than $10 million per year.
Professional career
[edit]Pre-LPGA membership (2005–08)
[edit]When Wie turned professional, she was not a member of any professional tour. LPGA Tour membership age requirements require a golfer to be 18, although some players such as Morgan Pressel and Aree Song have successfully petitioned for an exemption to join at age 17. Wie chose not to request an exemption and was thus only allowed to participate in a limited number of LPGA Tour events when given a sponsor's exemption from 2005 until 2008.
Wie played her first professional event in the 2005 LPGA Samsung World Championship, where she was disqualified from a fourth-place finish for signing an incorrect scorecard. A journalist, Michael Bamberger, reported a day after Wie had completed her round that she had illegally dropped the ball closer to the hole than its original lie.[26] Wie would later go on to tally four top-5 finishes on the LPGA tour, including a second at the Evian Masters, a tie for third at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, and a tie for 5th at the LPGA Championship. In the initial Rolex World Golf Rankings in February 2006, Wie was placed third, behind Annika Sörenstam and Paula Creamer, but eventually dropped to 7th, partially due to a limited schedule.[27]
2006 also involved several competitions against male competitors, starting with the PGA Tour Sony Open, where she again missed the cut, this time by four strokes. In May she became the first female medalist in a local qualifier for the men's U.S. Open, but did not advance past the New Jersey final stage qualifier.[28] At the PGA John Deere Classic, after a 6-over-par first round, and 10 strokes off the projected cut, midway through round two, she withdrew from the tournament, citing heat exhaustion and tiredness.[29]
Wie also played on both the European and Asian tours. At the SK Telecom Open, a men's tournament in South Korea, she became the second woman (after Se Ri Pak) to make the cut on the Asian Tour, and in addition, reportedly received appearance fees exceeding the event's total prize money.[30] However, Wie finished the season with several disappointing performances in both male and female tournaments, including the Omega European Masters, PGA 84 Lumber Classic, LPGA Tour Samsung World Championship and the Casio World Open. At this point, Wie had played 14 consecutive rounds of tournament golf without breaking par and had missed the cut in 11 out of 12 tries against men and remained winless against the women.[31]
In 2007, Wie's slump continued, including a four-month hiatus, due to injuries to both wrists, a disqualification, and several missed cuts and withdrawals. At the LPGA Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika, she was 14 over par through 16 holes in the first round before withdrawing, citing the injury.[32] The withdrawal was controversial owing to the LPGA Rule of 88, which states that a non-LPGA member shooting a score of 88 or more is forced to withdraw and banned from LPGA co-sponsored events for the rest of the year.[33][34] Later that year, after finishing one stroke off the lead during the second round of the State Farm Classic, she was disqualified for walking outside of the official tournament area before returning to sign her scorecard.[35][36] Despite the lack of victories, Wie was ranked #4 in the 2007 Forbes Top 20 Earners Under 25, with an annual earnings of $19 million.[37]
Wie finally became eligible to play full-time on the LPGA Tour in 2009, when she tied for 7th place at the LPGA qualifying tournament in Daytona Beach.[38]
LPGA membership (2009–2023)
[edit]After passing LPGA Qualifying School in December 2008, Wie declared that she still planned to play in tournaments against men. However, for the second consecutive year, she did not receive a sponsor exemption to play in the Sony Open in Hawaii where she had played four years in a row from 2004 through 2007.[39][40] Her first tournament as an LPGA member was the season-opening SBS Open at Turtle Bay where she shot 66, 70 to move into a tie with Angela Stanford going into the final round of the tournament. Wie held a three-stroke lead with eight holes remaining, but ended up losing to Stanford by three strokes.
It was reported in early March, 2009, that Wie had left the William Morris Agency, the Hollywood talent agency that had represented her since she turned pro in 2005, and would be signing with sports agency IMG.[41]
At the second major of the year, the LPGA Championship, she finished tied for 23rd, her best finish in a major since 2006. During this tournament she also scored her first recorded hole-in-one as a professional.[42] However, the day after her final round of the LPGA Championship, she failed to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open due to a mediocre performance at a sectional qualifying tournament.[43][44]
In August, at Rich Harvest Farms golf course in Sugar Grove, Illinois, Wie was a captain's pick for the United States team in Solheim Cup competition, where she led the American squad to victory with a 3-0-1 performance, the best record on the American team.[45]
On November 15, 2009, Wie won her first professional individual tournament, the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Guadalajara, Mexico, an event on the LPGA Tour limited to the top 36 female golfers in the world as determined by the LPGA money list and Rolex women's world golf rankings, posting a score of thirteen under par 275 for a two-stroke margin over fellow American Paula Creamer, and beating Jiyai Shin, Cristie Kerr and Morgan Pressel by two strokes.[46][47][48] She then finished second in the Ladies European Tour season-ending Dubai Ladies Masters tournament on December 9–12, 2009, shooting a 15-under-par 273, which put her three shots behind winner In-Kyung Kim.[49]
On August 29, 2010, she posted a three-shot win over a full field at the CN Canadian Women's Open, held at St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for her second career professional victory.[50] In her next LPGA event two weeks later, she finished second in the 54-hole P&G NW Arkansas Championship shooting 201 (−12) and losing to Yani Tseng by one stroke after giving up an overnight three-stroke lead.[51]
On April 19, 2014, Wie won her third LPGA Tour event – and her first in the United States – the LPGA Lotte Championship. She was four strokes behind Angela Stanford after 54 holes but shot a 67 to Stanford's 73 to win by two strokes.[52]
On June 22, 2014, Wie won her fourth LPGA Tour event and first major championship, the U.S. Women's Open. She was tied for the lead with Amy Yang after 54 holes at two-under-par. She double-bogeyed the 16th hole to fall within one shot of Stacy Lewis, but birdied the next hole and parred the last hole for a final round par-70 to win by two strokes over Lewis.[53] The win, coupled with her second-place finish in the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship, resulted in her winning the inaugural Rolex Annika Major Award.[54] In 2014, she was also named one of ESPNW's Impact 25.[55]
Wie will contribute to CBS Sports' multimedia golf coverage, including the Masters starting in 2020.[56]
In May 2022, Wie West announced that she would be stepping away from the game following the 2022 U.S. Women's Open,[57] held at Pebble Beach Golf Links on July 6–9.[58]
Controversies
[edit]From the beginning of her public career, Michelle Wie was the subject of controversy expressed by fans, media, peers, and other observers.
Performances in men's events
[edit]Despite the publicity her appearances garnered, Wie made only one cut in a men's tournament: at the rain-shortened 2006 SK Telecom Open on the Asian Tour. She made no cuts on the PGA Tour. After she missed the cut at the 2007 Sony Open by 14 shots, many sports critics began to doubt whether she ever would.[59]
Wie's last appearance in a men's professional event was at the 2008 Legends Reno-Tahoe Open, an alternate event on the PGA Tour. Wie shot rounds of 73 and 80, missing the cut by nine strokes.[60]
Use of exemptions
[edit]Professional golfers, fans, and media critics remarked that allowing Wie to compete in PGA events took away opportunities from more deserving golfers.[61][62][63] By late 2007, the criticism over the use of exemptions had extended to Wie's participation in women's events on the LPGA Tour as well. Wie declined to enter LPGA Tour qualifying school after turning 18 and therefore would have to depend on sponsor exemptions to play in future LPGA tournaments. This decision drew criticism from golf fans and commentators.[64][65] Such criticism ended after Wie qualified for the LPGA Tour through the 2008 qualifying tournament.[66]
Caddie turnover
[edit]Early in her career, Wie employed many different caddies after her father stopped being her caddie in 2004. She created controversy when, after finishing tied for 26th at the 2006 British Open, her caddie Greg Johnston was fired over the phone by Wie's then-agent Ross Berlin. Johnston said he was "surprised and disappointed" at the firing and at the fact that "no one named Wie gave me the news."[67] Wie employed several other professional caddies after Johnston, and also returned to using her father for the remainder of the 2007 season, parting ways with caddie David Clarke after she missed the cut at that year's British Open. For much of 2009, Wie used on-loan caddie Patrick Tarrant, who worked for then-injured PGA pro Brett Wetterich; however, at the end of that year but prior to her first LPGA victory, Tarrant recommended that she work with his friend Brendan Woolley, who continued as her exclusive caddie through the 2010 season.[68] Woolley and Wie parted ways in December 2012 after Wie finishing 64th on the LPGA Money List and earning just $158,546 that season.[69] In January 2013, Wie employed Mark Wallington, who caddied for another LPGA professional and European Solheim Cup player, Sophie Gustafson, for three tournaments. Wie then began working with Duncan French, who has continued caddying for her exclusively since.
2007 wrist injury
[edit]In the first week of February 2007, it was reported that Wie hurt her left wrist in a fall while running.[70] However, little information was provided to the public due to concerns about her privacy.[71] Initially, her public relations staff reported that she would be away from golf for four to six weeks[72] but the injury lasted until the end of May.
In response to the lack of information and prolonged absence, Brittany Lincicome questioned whether Wie and her parents had fabricated the injury in order to give her a reason to take a break from golf.[73][74][75] At the Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika in May 2007, Wie's playing partner, Alena Sharp, questioned Wie's withdrawal from the tournament due to wrist injury.[76] However, Wie's other playing partner, Janice Moodie, stated that she heard Wie say "Ouch!" after hitting her tee shot, and confirmed "She didn't swing as hard from that point on."[77]
In April 2008, she announced that she had three broken bones in her wrist, despite her agent's March 2007 announcement that the wrist was not broken.[78] A 2009 article about Wie's injury stated that the original misinformation resulted from Wie and her family failing to "understand or accept the severity of the injury," and that during the entire 2007 season, Wie played under a great deal of pain, taking four to five pain killers a day.[79]
Personal life
[edit]In March 2019, Wie announced that she was engaged to Jonnie West, who is Director of Basketball Operations for the Golden State Warriors[80] and the son of NBA legend Jerry West. They married on August 10, 2019, at a private home in Beverly Hills, California.[81] In January 2020, she announced she was pregnant,[82] while expressing interest in eventually returning to competitive golf.[83] On June 19, 2020, she gave birth to a daughter named Makenna.[84] In October 2024, she gave birth to her second child, a son.[85]
Amateur wins
[edit]- 2002 Hawaii State Open, Women's Division (67-71-70=208 −8), 13 strokes over Cindy Rarick[86]
- 2003 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links (Stroke play: 73-71=144 (E). 18-hole matches: 2&1, 2&1, 5&4, 6&5, 5&4. 36-hole final: 1 up over Virada Nirapathpongporn)[87]
Wie won several other Hawaiian local and junior events during the years 2000 through 2002.[88][89]
Wie played her first professional event while still an amateur in February 2002. Prior to her first win in a professional tournament, on November 15, 2009, she played in a total of 80 professional events as either an amateur or a professional:
- 66 against women: 64 on the LPGA Tour, 1 on the Ladies European Tour, and 1 on the LPGA of Korea Tour.
- 14 against men: 8 on the PGA Tour, 2 on the Japan Golf Tour, 1 on the European Tour, 1 on the Asian Tour, 1 on the Nationwide Tour, and 1 on the Canadian Tour.
Professional wins (5)
[edit]LPGA Tour wins (5)
[edit]Legend |
---|
Major championships (1) |
Other LPGA Tour (4) |
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up | Winner's share ($) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nov 15, 2009 | Lorena Ochoa Invitational | −13 (70-66-70-69=275) | 2 strokes | Paula Creamer | 220,000 |
2 | Aug 29, 2010 | CN Canadian Women's Open | −12 (65-69-72-70=276) | 3 strokes | Jee Young Lee, Kristy McPherson, Suzann Pettersen, Jiyai Shin |
337,500 |
3 | Apr 19, 2014 | LPGA Lotte Championship | −14 (70-67-70-67=274) | 2 strokes | Angela Stanford | 255,000 |
4 | Jun 22, 2014 | U.S. Women's Open | −2 (68-68-72-70=278) | 2 strokes | Stacy Lewis | 720,000 |
5 | Mar 4, 2018 | HSBC Women's World Championship | −17 (67-73-66-65=271) | 1 stroke | Brooke Henderson, Danielle Kang, Nelly Korda, Jenny Shin |
225,000 |
Major championships
[edit]Wins (1)
[edit]Year | Championship | Winning score | Margin | Runner-up |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | U.S. Women's Open | −2 (68-68-72-70=278) | 2 strokes | Stacy Lewis |
Results timeline
[edit]Results not in chronological order.
Tournament | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chevron Championship | T9LA | 4LA | T14LA | T3 | T67 | ||
U.S. Women's Open | T39 | T13TLA | T23 | T3 | WD | CUT | |
Women's PGA Championship | 2LA | T5 | 84 | T23 | |||
Women's British Open | T3LA | T26 | CUT | T11 |
Tournament | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chevron Championship | T27 | 6 | CUT | T41 | 2 | T57 | T36 | 6 | T30 | CUT |
U.S. Women's Open | CUT | T55 | T35 | WD | 1 | 11 | CUT | WD | T10 | |
Women's PGA Championship | T19 | T72 | CUT | T9 | T41 | CUT | T20 | T28 | CUT | |
The Evian Championship ^ | T37 | WD | T16 | T55 | ||||||
Women's British Open | T17 | T28 | T13 | T56 | CUT | WD | CUT | T3 | WD |
Tournament | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chevron Championship | CUT | |||
Women's PGA Championship | T46 | |||
U.S. Women's Open | CUT | CUT | CUT | |
The Evian Championship ^ | NT | |||
Women's British Open |
^ The Evian Championship was added as a major in 2013.
LA = Low amateur
CUT = missed the half-way cut
WD = withdrew
NT = no tournament
T = tied
Summary
[edit]Tournament | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top-5 | Top-10 | Top-25 | Events | Cuts made |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chevron Championship | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 13 |
Women's PGA Championship | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 11 |
U.S. Women's Open | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 18 | 9 |
The Evian Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
Women's British Open | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 8 |
Totals | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 25 | 65 | 45 |
- Most consecutive cuts made – 13 (2003 Kraft Nabisco – 2007 LPGA)
- Longest streak of top-10s – 4 (2005 British Open – 2006 U.S. Open)
LPGA Tour career summary
[edit]Year | Tournaments played |
Cuts made* |
Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top 10s | Best finish |
Earnings ($) |
Money list rank |
Scoring average |
Scoring rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2002 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | MC | n/a | 75.67 | n/a | |
2003 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | T9 | 73.00 | n/a | ||
2004 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 71.00 | n/a | ||
2005 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 70.76 | n/a | ||
2006 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | T2 | 730,921 | n/a | 70.78 | n/a |
2007 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 23,024 | n/a | 76.68 | n/a |
2008 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T12 | 62,763 | n/a | 72.15 | n/a |
2009 | 19 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 918,659 | 14 | 70.57 | 9 |
2010 | 19 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 888,017 | 9 | 71.34 | 18 |
2011 | 20 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 627,936 | 18 | 71.94 | 24 |
2012 | 23 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 158,546 | 64 | 73.48 | 92 |
2013 | 26 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | T3 | 355,853^ | 41 | 71.71 | 36 |
2014 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 1,924,796 | 4 | 69.82 | 3 |
2015 | 24 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 348,918 | 49 | 71.86 | 53 |
2016 | 25 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | T10 | 76,109 | 105 | 72.95 | 116 |
2017 | 24 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | T2 | 930,575 | 19 | 70.47 | 25 |
2018 | 16 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 556,322 | 39 | 70.80 | 25 |
2019 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T23 | 15,377 | 159 | 75.30 | n/a |
2020 | did not play | ||||||||||
2021 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T40 | 24,174 | 154 | 73.94 | n/a |
2022 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T28 | n/a | n/a | 75.83 | n/a |
2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | MC | 0 | n/a | 79.00 | n/a |
Totals | 230 (2009) | 169 (2009) | 5 | 11 | 13 | 49 | 1 | 6,825,282 † | 54 |
- As of 2023 season[90][91][92]
- Wie was not a member of the LPGA Tour before the 2009 season.
* Includes matchplay and other events without a cut.
^ Wie's $6,760 earnings at the 2013 Honda LPGA Thailand and $65,589 at the 2017 HSBC Women's Champions were considered unofficial under LPGA rules and are not included in yearly totals.
† Does not include non-member earnings from 2006 to 2008
World ranking
[edit]Position in Women's World Golf Rankings at the end of each calendar year.
Year | Ranking | Source |
---|---|---|
2006 | 11 | [93] |
2007 | 71 | [94] |
2008 | 238 | [95] |
2009 | 10 | [96] |
2010 | 10 | [97] |
2011 | 17 | [98] |
2012 | 62 | [99] |
2013 | 61 | [100] |
2014 | 6 | [101] |
2015 | 28 | [102] |
2016 | 173 | [103] |
2017 | 29 | [104] |
2018 | 32 | [105] |
2019 | 215 | [106] |
2020 | 497 | [107] |
2021 | 594 | [108] |
2022 | 740 | [109] |
2023 | 1,151^ | [110] |
^ as of July 10, 2023
Professional record outside of LPGA Tour
[edit]This table shows Wie's earnings as a professional, excluding LPGA Tour events.
Year | Dates | Tournament | Tour | Finish | Margin | Earnings ($) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | Nov 24–27 | Casio World Open | Japan Golf Tour | MC | 1 from cutline | 0 |
2006 | Jan 12–15 | Sony Open in Hawaii | PGA Tour | MC | 4 from cutline | 0 |
2006 | May 4–7 | SK Telecom Open* | Asian Tour | T35 | 12 behind winner | 4,303 |
2006 | Jul 13–16 | John Deere Classic | PGA Tour | WD | n/a | 0 |
2006 | Sep 7–10 | Omega European Masters | European Tour | MC | 14 from cutline | 0 |
2006 | Sep 14–17 | 84 Lumber Classic | PGA Tour | MC | 13 from cutline | 0 |
2006 | Nov 23–26 | Casio World Open | Japan Golf Tour | MC | 17 from cutline | 0 |
2007 | Jan 11–14 | Sony Open in Hawaii | PGA Tour | MC | 14 from cutline | 0 |
2008 | May 29 – Jun 1 | Ladies German Open | LET | 6 | 7 behind winner | 13,563[111] |
2008 | Jul 31 – Aug 3 | Legends Reno-Tahoe Open | PGA Tour | MC | 9 from cutline | 0 |
2009 | Apr 15–17 | Lotte Mart Open | KLPGA | T36 | 13 behind winner | 1,534 |
2009 | Dec 9–12 | Omega Dubai Ladies Masters | LET | 2 | 3 behind winner | 72,990 |
2010 | Dec 8–11 | Omega Dubai Ladies Masters | LET | T6 | 6 behind winner | 16,250 |
2011 | Dec 14–17 | Omega Dubai Ladies Masters | LET | T12 | 10 behind winner | €7,800 |
2012 | May 4–6 | World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup | JLPGA | MC | 1 from cutline | 0 |
2012 | Dec 5–8 | Omega Dubai Ladies Masters | LET | T19 | 15 behind winner | €6,300 |
*Tournament shortened to 56 holes because of rain.[112]
Dates are span of competitive rounds, regardless of whether Wie participated in all rounds.
MC = missed halfway cut
WD = withdrew
Margin = strokes behind winner or cutline, not applicable in case of withdrawal.
Team appearances
[edit]Amateur
- Curtis Cup (representing the United States): 2004 (winners)
Professional
- Solheim Cup (representing the United States): 2009 (winners), 2011, 2013, 2015 (winners), 2017 (winners)
- International Crown (representing the United States): 2018
Solheim Cup record
[edit]Year | Total matches |
Total W–L–H |
Singles W–L–H |
Foursomes W–L–H |
Fourballs W–L–H |
Points won |
Points % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Career | 18 | 8–9–1 | 2–3–0 | 3–3–0 | 3–3–1 | 8.5 | 47.2 |
2009 | 4 | 3–0–1 | 1–0–0 def. H. Alfredsson 1 up | 1–0–0 won w/ C. Kerr 1 up | 1–0–1 halved w/ M. Pressel won w/ C. Kim 5&4 |
3.5 | 87.5 |
2011 | 4 | 1–3–0 | 0–1–0 lost to S. Pettersen 1 dn | 1–0–0 won w/ C. Kerr 2&1 | 0–2–0 lost w/ C. Kerr 2 dn lost w/ B. Lang 4&3 |
1 | 25.0 |
2013 | 4 | 2–2–0 | 0–1–0 lost to C. Hedwall 1 dn | 1–0–0 won w/ B. Lang 2&1 | 1–1–0 won w/ C. Kerr 2&1 lost w/ J. Korda 2&1 |
2 | 50.0 |
2015 | 3 | 1–2–0 | 1–0–0 def. C. Hedwall 6&4 | 0–2–0 lost w/ B. Lincicome 2&1 lost w/ A. Lee 4&3 |
0–0–0 | 1 | 33.3 |
2017 | 3 | 1–2–0 | 0–1–0 lost to C. Masson 4&2 | 0–1–0 lost w/ D. Kang 2&1 | 1–0–0 won w/ D. Kang 3&1 | 1 | 33.3 |
Golf records
[edit]- The youngest winner (male or female) of an adult USGA-sanctioned tournament – Age 13 (2003 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links)
- The youngest player to make a cut in an LPGA tournament and major – Age 13 (2003 Nabisco Championship)
- The lowest round by a female in a PGA Tour event – 68 (2004 and 2006 Sony Open)
- The youngest player to play in Curtis Cup history – Age 14 (2004)
- The first female to qualify for a USGA championship that is generally played by males - Age 15 (2005 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship Pittsburgh sectional)
- The first female to make a cut on the Asian Tour - Age 16 (2006 SK Telecom Open)
- The first female medalist in a U.S. Open qualifying tournament – Age 16 (2006 U.S. Open Local Qualifying at Turtle Bay Hawaii)
See also
[edit]Female golfers who have competed in men's PGA tournaments:
References
[edit]- ^ "A Wie bit of trepidation". The National. July 30, 2009.
- ^ Rovell, Darren (May 9, 2008). "When Is Michelle Wie Done?". CNBC. Archived from the original on October 12, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
- ^ "Better ideas for the Solheim Cup". Washington Examiner. August 18, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "PAST WINNERS". Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
- ^ "Faces of the week / Michelle Wie". BBC. July 29, 2005.
- ^ "South Korean town no longer sending money to Wie". CNN. Reuters. October 11, 2005. Archived from the original on December 17, 2005.
- ^ "Michelle Wie Finds New Mature Confidence". Chosun Ilbo. December 20, 2008. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009.
- ^ "U.S.-born golfer Michelle Wie relinquishes S. Korean citizenship: officials". Yonhap News. February 27, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
- ^ Ferguson, Doug (December 19, 2006). "Wie gets accepted to Stanford". Yahoo Sports. Archived from the original on January 20, 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2009.
- ^ "It's Official: Wie Headed to Stanford". Stanford Magazine. Stanford Alumni Association. March 1, 2007. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
- ^ Gyr, Alex (January 8, 2007). "Wie set to attend Stanford". The Stanford Daily. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2007.
- ^ Bonk, Thomas (September 20, 2007). "Teeing Off". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
- ^ "Stanford Academic Calendar, 2009-10". Stanford University. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
- ^ Benson, Jim (April 15, 2008). "Wie to play in State Farm Classic". Pantagraph.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
- ^ "LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament Final Round Interviews". LPGA. December 7, 2008. Retrieved December 7, 2008.
- ^ "The Education Of Michelle Wie". Golf Digest. March 19, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "2012 Kia Classic Pre-Tournament Interviews-Michelle Wie". LPGA. March 21, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b Timmons, Grady. "The Power of Michelle". The Magazine of Hawaiian Airlines. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
- ^ Shefter, David (April 4, 2014). "Li, 11, To Be In National Spotlight Again". United States Golf Association. Archived from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
- ^ "Han returns to defend Honda LPGA Thailand 2007". LPGA. October 22, 2007. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
- ^ "Twelve-year-old misses cut, but not the fun". ESPN. Associated Press. March 1, 2002. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
- ^ "Career summary 2003". michellewiefans.com. January 15, 2008. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2008.
- ^ Kelley, Brent. "About the PGA Tour Sony Open". about.com. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
- ^ Reardon, Dave (July 6, 2005). "Wie has already won with the fans". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
- ^ Miller, Rusty (July 13, 2005). "Wie able to advance in men's tourney". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
- ^ "Michelle Wie Gets DQ'd from Her First LPGA Event". Golf.com. October 19, 2015.
- ^ "Two modifications announced for Rolex Rankings". LPGA. August 3, 2006. Retrieved March 30, 2007.
- ^ "Wie advances in local U.S. Open qualifier". USA Today. May 15, 2006. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
- ^ Armour, Nancy (July 15, 2006). "Heat exhaustion forces Wie to end PGA quest". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
- ^ "Michelle Wie's 10-Day Korea Trip to Net Her US$5 million". Digital Chosunilbo. April 20, 2006. Archived from the original on April 22, 2006. Retrieved April 20, 2006.
- ^ "Michelle Wie Profile and Statistics" (PDF). LPGA. December 23, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2007. Retrieved March 30, 2007.
- ^ Iacobelli, Pete (June 1, 2007). "At 14 over par, Wie withdraws". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 16, 2009.
- ^ "Wie flirts with DQ rule before withdrawing at Ginn Tribute". USA Today. May 31, 2007. Retrieved February 16, 2009.
- ^ Adelson, Eric (May 31, 2007). "Wie's comeback doomed right from the start". ESPN. Retrieved February 16, 2009.
- ^ "Wie DQ'd after failing to sign scorecard". Golf Channel. Associated Press. July 19, 2008. Retrieved February 16, 2009.
- ^ "Contending Wie disqualified after scorecard error". ESPN. July 19, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ "20 Under 25: The Top-Earning Young Superstars". Forbes. December 4, 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2008.
- ^ Berlet, Bruce (September 19, 2008). "Michelle Wie Among 32 Advancing to LPGA Qualifying Finals". Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2008.
- ^ "LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament 2009 Final-Round Wrap Story and Interviews". December 7, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
- ^ "Sony Open field is missing Hawaii's Fujikawa and Wie". Golf.com. Associated Press. December 30, 2008. Archived from the original on September 22, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
- ^ Baldry, Beth Ann (March 10, 2009). "Wie to get 'fresh start' with IMG". Golfweek. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
- ^ Van Valkenburg, Kevin (June 15, 2009). "Wie, a noncontender, content with her play". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 16, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Ferguson, Doug (June 16, 2009). "Michelle Wie Fails To Qualify for US Women's Open". NBC Sports. Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
- ^ Dunleavy, Kevin (June 15, 2009). "The glamorous life at Woodmont". The Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
- ^ Shipnuk, Alan (August 29, 2009). "Sparked by a Surprisingly Spirited Michelle Wie, the U.S. Team won the Solheim Cup". golf.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
- ^ "Wie Claims Maiden LPGA Tour Victory". www.golf.co.uk. November 15, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
- ^ "Final Results Lorena Ochoa Invitational". LPGA. November 15, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
- ^ "Wie Earns First L.P.G.A. Victory; Woods Wins in Australia". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 15, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ^ "Final 2009 Dubai Masters Leaderboard". Ladies European Tour. Archived from the original on March 2, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
- ^ "Wie captures 2nd LPGA Tour win in Canada". Miami Herald. Sports Network. August 29, 2010. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
- ^ "Michelle Wie short as Yani Tseng rallies". Boston Herald. September 13, 2010.
- ^ "Michelle Wie: First victory since 2010". ESPN. Associated Press. April 19, 2014.
- ^ "Michelle Wie Wins U.S. Women's Open, Capturing First Major". The New York Times. June 22, 2014.
- ^ Mell, Randall (September 14, 2014). "Wie wins inaugural Annika Major Award". Golf Channel. Archived from the original on September 18, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- ^ "2014 espnW Impact 25: Michelle Wie, 25, 2014 U.S. Women's Open Golf Champion". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
- ^ "CBS Sports Announces Additional Roster Moves For 2020 Golf Season". ViacomCBS. December 3, 2019.
- ^ Uggetti, Paolo (June 3, 2022). "Michelle Wie West is officially ready for the next 'phase' of her life". ESPN.
- ^ Higuchi, Kikue (July 4, 2023). "Five Things To Know About The 78th U.S. Women's Open". LPGA.
- ^ "Wie's Woe's Worsening". Winnipeg Sun. Associated Press. January 14, 2007. Archived from the original on February 2, 2007. Retrieved January 14, 2007.
- ^ "2008 Legends Reno-Tahoe Open Final Scores". ESPN. Archived from the original on July 1, 2018.
- ^ "Wie paid to play not to win". Worldgolf.com. November 22, 2006. Retrieved November 23, 2006.
- ^ Sirak, Ron (June 3, 2004). "Wie's exemption opposed". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved November 23, 2006.
- ^ McCarthy, Michael (June 5, 2006). "Michelle Wie prompts gallery debate". USA Today. Retrieved November 23, 2006.
- ^ "Michelle Wie still a child on her 18th birthday". WorldGolf.com. October 11, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2008.
- ^ Sirak (October 10, 2007). "Ron". GolfWorld.com. Retrieved January 19, 2008.
- ^ "With Q-school success, Michelle Wie finally proves she belongs on LPGA Tour". Golf Magazine. Associated Press. December 16, 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
- ^ Matuszewski, Erik (August 8, 2006). "Michelle Wie Fires Caddie After Finishing 26th at British Open". Bloomberg. Retrieved June 29, 2007.
- ^ Baldry, Beth Ann (November 18, 2009). "Woolley wins Wie caddie sweepstakes". GolfWeek. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
- ^ "Michelle Wie Profile and Statistics". LPGA. July 11, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
- ^ "Wie out 4–6 weeks with wrist injury". The Honolulu Advertiser. Advertiser News Services. February 10, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2007.
- ^ Hewitt, Brian (February 15, 2007). "Wie's Camp Adds a Spin Doctor". Golf Channel. Retrieved May 27, 2007.
- ^ "Wie's wrist injury will take 4–6 weeks to heal". ESPN. Associated Press. February 9, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2007.
- ^ Manahan, Kevin (May 17, 2007). "Putting along: Lincicome is little recognized alongside LPGA's best". Newark Star Ledger. Retrieved May 27, 2007.
- ^ Stasch, Bruce (April 28, 2007). "Michelle Wie's Return to the LPGA is a Non-Event". WorldGolf.com. Retrieved May 27, 2007.
- ^ Lewis, Ferd (June 1, 2007). "Is her game mired in a bad lie?". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved June 3, 2007.
- ^ Baldry, Beth Ann (May 31, 2007). "Down and out". GolfWeek. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved February 16, 2009.
- ^ Boone, Grant (June 6, 2007). "For Michelle Wie, It Really May Be All In The Wrist". PGA of America. Retrieved October 7, 2008.
- ^ Hewitt, Brian (March 6, 2007). "Wie Likely to Miss Kraft Nabisco - 03/06/2007". Golf Channel. Retrieved May 10, 2008.
- ^ Adelson, Eric (July 11, 2009). "Wie Opens Up About Wrist Injury". The New York Times. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
- ^ Negley, Cassandra (August 12, 2019). "Michelle Wie marries Warriors exec Jonnie West, son of NBA legend Jerry West". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
- ^ Mell, Randall (August 11, 2019). "I do: Wie ties the knot with West in big Beverly Hills ceremony". Golf Channel. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- ^ Nichols, Beth Ann (January 9, 2020). "Michelle Wie pregnant with first child, due this summer". Golfweek. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
- ^ Nichols, Beth Ann (January 10, 2020). "Expectant Michelle Wie wants daughter to see her do it all". Golfweek. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
- ^ Juneau, Jen (June 20, 2020). "Pro Golfer Michelle Wie Welcomes Daughter Makenna: 'I Have Waited My Entire Life to Meet You'". People. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
- ^ Vasquez, Ingrid (October 21, 2024). "Retired Pro Golfer Michelle Wie West Welcomes Baby No. 2, a Boy, with Husband Jonnie West: 'Makenna's Lil Bro'". People. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "2002 Hawaii State Open & Oakley Pro-Am". Golf800. November 17, 2002. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- ^ "2003 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship Results". USGA. June 22, 2003. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- ^ Neal, Laura (January 16, 2007). "Michelle Wie Profile and Statistics" (PDF). LPGA. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 10, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2007.
- ^ "Michelle Wie Awards/Accomplishments/Other". Golf800. May 31, 2003. Retrieved June 3, 2007.
- ^ "Michelle Wie Stats". LPGA. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "Michelle Wie results". LPGA. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "Career Money". LPGA. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 26, 2006.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 25, 2007.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 30, 2008.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 29, 2009.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 28, 2010.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 27, 2011.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 31, 2012.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 30, 2013.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 29, 2014.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 28, 2015.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 26, 2016.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 25, 2017.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 31, 2018.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 30, 2019.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 28, 2020.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 27, 2021.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 26, 2022.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". July 10, 2023.
- ^ "Yahoo! Finance Currency Converter". Yahoo! Finance. June 1, 2008. Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
- ^ "2006 SK Telecom Open Final Results". ESPN.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Michelle Wie West at the LPGA Tour official site
- Michelle Wie West at the Women's World Golf Rankings official site
- American female golfers
- LPGA Tour golfers
- Winners of LPGA major golf championships
- Solheim Cup competitors for the United States
- Golfers from Honolulu
- Golfers from California
- Laureus World Sports Awards winners
- Punahou School alumni
- Stanford University alumni
- American people of South Korean descent
- American sportspeople of Korean descent
- Jangheung Wi clan
- 1989 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American women
- Hawaii people of Korean descent