Meet the Girls: Former teenage phenom Michelle Wie
Fact File
Date of birth: 11/10/1989
Place of birth: Honolulu, Hawaii
Nationality: American
Height: 6’0”
Turned pro: 2005
About
Inspirational American golfer Michelle Wie has broken nearly every record in the women’s game.
She started playing golf at the age of four and as a 12-year-old she could smash the ball more than 300 yards.
At the age of 10 Wie became the youngest ever qualifier at the USGA Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship.
She clocked up record after record in the next few years as she claimed youngest ever accolades in virtually every category.
As a fresh-faced 13-year-old Wie became the youngest ever golfer to make the cut at an LPGA tour event – the Kraft Nabisco Championship – and she would go on to finish in the top-10 at the Major.
Wie, at the age of 14, finished in the top-20 in six of the seven LPGA events she entered, including a fourth place at the Kraft Nabisco and a strong showing at the men’s PGA Sony Open, where she missed narrowly missed the cut.
The year 2005 saw Wie claim second place in three of seven LPGA events, including the LPGA Championship, and a third spot at the British Open. She turned professional that same year, just before her 16th birthday.
Wie was an astonishing third in the world rankings in February 2006. However, as the LPGA Tour minimum age requirement is 18 years old, Wie was only able to compete at a limited number of events until she was eligible for her Tour Card.
She gained her card in 2009 and quickly set about establishing herself as one of the top players in women’s golf.
The 26-year-old won her first and only Major to date when she clinched the 2014 US Women’s Open at Pinehurst, sinking a 15-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole to hold off a charging Stacy Lewis.
The current World No 40 has represented the United States in the last four Solheim Cup tournaments, helping the US secure all four titles.
