PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Michelle Wie West’s husband, Jonnie, tested positive for COVID-19 just a couple days before last year’s U.S. Women’s Open. Wie West tested negative for four days and felt it was somewhat of a miracle that she was able to compete at Pine Needles as she transitioned away from a competitive career on the LPGA, though it stung to be across the country from her husband, daughter and parents.
“I just remember sitting in my hotel room thinking, this is not the way to go,” she the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open champion. “This is so sad.”
The 78th U.S. Women’s Open, July 6-9 at Pebble Beach Golf Links, will provide the chance for Wie West to say a proper goodbye in her beloved Bay Area, with her husband on the bag and the rest of her family watching every shot. It’s fitting that the most well-known player in the women’s game in recent years will take part in what could be the most important championship in U.S. Women’s Open history.
On Tuesday, Wie West took part in Women’s Open media day, playing nine holes there for the first time in blustery conditions.
“I didn’t dream of this to be the last one,” she said, “but if I could this would be the way to go.”
Michelle Wie West at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open Preview Day in Pebble Beach, California, on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. (Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/USGA)
As Wie West got her first glimpse of the iconic course, Annika Sorenstam announced on Twitter that she had accepted a special exemption to compete at Pebble, making an historic week in the women’s game all the more special.
“I think this is a dream-changer,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan of the U.S. Women’s Open coming to Pebble Beach for the first time. “I think this really matters to the people playing, but the real impact of this is the girls that are thinking about playing or aren’t really sure what they think about golf.”
History won’t just be made on the course as the USGA announced record-breaking television coverage (26 hours) and live prime time network coverage over the weekend on NBC. In addition, the media and fans will be able to track every shot that’s hit at Pebble Beach as the USGA utilizes the PGA Tour’s ShotLink scoring system for the first time at a women’s event.
The message: This isn’t just a big week in women’s golf. It’s a big week in women’s sport.
Michelle Wie West at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open Preview Day in Pebble Beach, California, on Tuesday, May 2, 2023….
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