What Happened to Michelle Wie West?
Michelle Wie West is an American professional golfer who rose to prominence as a child prodigy, winning the 2014 U.S. Women's Open and five LPGA Tour titles before announcing her retirement in 2023. Since then, she has focused on family and entrepreneurial ventures, but made a temporary return to competitive golf in 2026, participating in the Mizuho Americas Open and the U.S. Women's Open.
Quick Answer
Michelle Wie West retired from professional golf after the 2023 U.S. Women's Open to focus on her family and business interests. However, in 2026, she announced a temporary return to competitive golf, participating in the Mizuho Americas Open in May and the U.S. Women's Open in June, her final eligible appearance in the major. She also committed to play in the new women's tech-infused golf league, WTGL, launching in late 2026 or early 2027.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii
Michelle Sung Wie is born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to immigrant parents from South Korea.
Youngest to Qualify for USGA Amateur Championship
At age 10, she became the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship.
Youngest USGA Adult Event Winner
At 13, Wie became the youngest person ever to win a USGA adult event by claiming the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links. She also became the youngest to make the cut at an LPGA major (Kraft Nabisco Championship) and the U.S. Women's Open.
Turns Professional
Michelle Wie turned professional shortly before her 16th birthday, attracting significant publicity and endorsements.
First LPGA Tour Victory
Wie secured her first LPGA Tour victory at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico.
Wins U.S. Women's Open
Wie West won her first and only major championship, the U.S. Women's Open, by two strokes at Pinehurst No. 2. She also won the LPGA Lotte Championship the same year.
Fifth LPGA Tour Title
She won her fifth LPGA Tour event at the HSBC Women's World Championship.
Marries Jonnie West
Michelle Wie marries Jonnie West, son of NBA legend Jerry West and Director of Basketball Operations for the Golden State Warriors.
Gives Birth to Daughter Makenna
She gives birth to her first child, a daughter named Makenna Kamalei Yoona West.
Retires from Full-Time Professional Golf
Wie West announced her retirement from full-time competitive golf after the U.S. Women's Open at Pebble Beach to focus on family and other ventures.
Father-in-law Jerry West Passes Away
Her father-in-law, NBA legend Jerry West, passes away at the age of 86.
Gives Birth to Son Jagger
Michelle and Jonnie West welcome their second child, a son named Jagger Jerry YooJun West.
Invests in TOGETHXR
Wie West becomes the first new member of the ownership group for TOGETHXR, a women-founded media company, aiming to amplify women's golf.
Commits to WTGL
Michelle Wie West announces she will come out of retirement to compete in WTGL, the new women's tech-infused indoor golf league launching in winter 2026-27.
Plays Mizuho Americas Open
As a tune-up for the U.S. Women's Open, Wie West plays in the Mizuho Americas Open, an event she hosts, missing the cut after shooting 82-80.
Competes in U.S. Women's Open
Wie West plays in the 2026 U.S. Women's Open at Riviera Country Club, her final eligible appearance, with her husband Jonnie West as her caddie. She shot 75 in Round 1 and 74 in Round 2, missing the projected cut.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Michelle Wie West, born Michelle Sung Wie on October 11, 1989, in Honolulu, Hawaii, became a golf sensation at a remarkably young age. She broke numerous 'youngest player to' records, including qualifying for a USGA amateur championship at age 10 and becoming the youngest winner of the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links at 13 in 2003. Her amateur career also saw her make the cut in LPGA events and even compete in PGA Tour events, setting the record for the lowest round by a female in a PGA Tour event with a 68.
Wie turned professional just before her 16th birthday in 2005, amidst significant media attention and endorsement deals. Her professional career on the LPGA Tour, which she joined in 2009, included five victories. Her most significant triumph was the 2014 U.S. Women's Open, her only major championship, where she won by two strokes. Throughout her career, she also represented the U.S. in five Solheim Cups, contributing to victories in 2009, 2015, and 2017.
In March 2019, Wie married Jonnie West, the Director of Basketball Operations for the Golden State Warriors and son of NBA legend Jerry West. They welcomed their first child, daughter Makenna Kamalei Yoona West, in June 2020. Wie West announced her retirement from full-time competitive golf after the 2023 U.S. Women's Open at Pebble Beach, citing a desire to focus on her family and explore entrepreneurial ventures. During this period, she became the host of the LPGA's Mizuho Americas Open, a role she continues to hold, and invested in several companies, including the women-founded media company TOGETHXR and golf-related tech firms.
In October 2024, Michelle and Jonnie West welcomed their second child, a son named Jagger Jerry YooJun West. Despite her retirement, 2026 has seen a notable return to the golf spotlight. In February 2026, she committed to play in WTGL, a new women's team indoor golf league set to launch in late 2026 or early 2027. This was followed by announcements in March and April 2026 that she would play in the Mizuho Americas Open in May and the 2026 U.S. Women's Open in June, utilizing her final eligibility from her 2014 victory, extended by maternity leave. Her husband, Jonnie, is caddying for her at the U.S. Women's Open, which is being held at Riviera Country Club, a venue significant to her late father-in-law, Jerry West, who passed away in June 2024. She missed the cut at the Mizuho Americas Open and is expected to miss the cut at the U.S. Women's Open after shooting 75 and 74 in the first two rounds.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Michelle Wie West made different choices?