PEBBLE BEACH (Calif.) – Michelle Wie West’s spouse, Jonnie West, tested positive for COVID-19 a few days before the U.S. Women’s Open last year. Wie West was negative for four consecutive days. She felt that it was a miracle she was still able to play at Pine Needles, as she is transitioning away from an LPGA career.
She was the U.S. Open 2014 champion. “I remember sitting in my room and thinking that this is not the right way to go,” said the U.S. Open winner. This is sad.
Wie West will have the opportunity to bid farewell in her native Bay Area at the 78th U.S. Women’s Open on July 6-9, Pebble Beach Golf Links. Her husband will be on her bag, and her entire family will be watching her every shot. The most famous player of the women’s sport in recent years is taking part in the U.S. Women’s Open, which could be its most important tournament in history.
Wie West played nine holes in the Women’s Open Media Day on Tuesday.
She said: “I never thought this would be my last.” But if she could, this is what she’d do.
Michelle Wie West attends the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open Preview Day at Pebble Beach in California on Tuesday, May 2. 2023. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/USGA).
Annika Sorenstam tweeted that she had received a special exemption for Pebble Beach, making this historic week of women’s golf even more special.
Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA, said that the U.S. Women’s Open will be held at Pebble Beach in the first time. “I believe this will be a big deal for the players, but it’s also a huge deal for the girls who are considering playing golf or don’t know what they think of the game.”
The USGA will not only be making history on the course, but also on television. They have announced a record-breaking TV coverage (26 hour) as well as live primetime network coverage on NBC over the weekend. The media and fans can also track each shot at Pebble Beach, as the USGA will use the PGA Tour ShotLink system for the very first time in a women’s tournament.
The message is: This week, women’s sport in general will be a major event. This is a major week for women’s sports.
Michelle Wie West attends the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open Preview Day at Pebble Beach in California on Tuesday, 2 May 2023. (Photo: Tim Schmitt/Golfweek)
Morgan Pressel, the major champion, was joined by former U.S. soccer player Brandi Chastain, and Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamguchi. Yamaguchi became the first Asian American to win a Winter Olympic gold medal in 1992. Pressel will serve as the lead analyst for NBC.
Chastain was a household name after she scored the winning goal in the Rose Bowl at Pasadena during the 1999 World Cup. Northern California native, Chastain, believes that many lessons can be learned from the history-making Cup that broke records for attendance, TV ratings, and interest.
“I believe No. Chastain said that the first thing that was done by Chastain and her leadership team is to say, “We see what can be”, then we have to put it forward in a brave and bold way.
The Women’s Open on Pebble Beach may be as important for women’s sports as the Rose Bowl in 1999.
Chastain, 54, became emotional as she spoke about her connection to Pebble. Her grandfather had taken her to the Crosby when she was 8 years old. The two would walk the course and eat strawberry-shortcake on the 18 th fairway.
“I was listening to Mike Whan,” said Chastain with tears in her eyes, “and I realized that I would bring my two granddaughters and we were going to do the same walk.”
Brandi Chastain attends the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open Preview Day at Pebble Beach in California on Tuesday, May 2. 2023. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/USGA).
Wie West’s daughter Makenna will be onsite. She had planned to begin working on her game this month, but was busy. Jonnie, a caddie who plays for the Golden State Warriors with a handicap of about 2, will be her first caddie at Pebble Beach, although he has looped for Steph at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am a few times and a Web.com Event.
She said that having her husband on the bag will be crucial for this.
Unforgettable, too.
