The last time Michelle Wie West competed in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, she fought through wrist and hand pain, missing the cut at Hazeltine National.
Many thought it might be her last competitive rounds. That was two years ago.
This week, Wie West, now 31, is back to compete in the Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club. The closest the five-time LPGA winner came to winning the LPGA was in 2005, when, as an amateur, she finished second, three shots behind winner Annika Sorenstam. Wie West will be making her sixth start of the season, coming off her first made cut two weeks ago at the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship.
“I'm grateful. I'm grateful to be back out here,” Wie West said. “I know I'm on borrowed time. I know that every shot matters to me more than anyone can ever imagine. When I last played at KPMG, it really just struck me now that that was the last time. I really didn't think I'd ever touch a golf club ever again, so to be
back out here playing for fun, and more on top of that, to be competitive again, that's just wild to me. I'm just eternally grateful for the opportunity to do this again.”
Wie West played in the pro-am on Tuesday alongside NBA player Kent Bazemore, who used to play for the Atlanta Hawks. It was Bazemore and his current Golden State Warriors teammate, Damion Lee, who were photographed walking to the team plane in LPGA tye-dye hoodies designed by Wie West that sparked an
instant spike in popularity, with the hoodies selling out online in three hours.
Bazemore has worked with Wie West’s husband, Jonnie West, and said he was happy to support the cause, with proceeds from hoodie sales benefitting the LPGA Renee Powell Fund, which helps provide resources to introduce young girls to golf, and the Clearview Legacy Foundation, which helps to preserve the Ohio
course that was designed, built, operated and owned by Renee’s father, Bill Powell.
“Hopefully, it will help give more kids the opportunity to get access to this sport,” Wie West said. “As we all know, it's not the cheapest game to get into. There's a lot of walls to get past. Hopefully, this can break down some barriers and give more access and resources and opportunity.”
