Golf might be the gentleman’s game, but it can be cruel at times too. Sure, it does not involve the athleticism of football and basketball nor the physicality of wrestling or boxing. However, it can have some irreversible effects on the golfer’s body that can even push them to throw the towel earlier than expected. Back in the days, it was Bob Murphy, 46-year-old then, who had to abandon the 1989 PGA Tour because of his psoriatic arthritis. The legendary golfer then could not even grip his club. With trials and errors and one treatment that can only be best described as unique, he returned to the green after a 4-year sabbatical which he thought was definitely the end to his career in the sport he loved the most. Then,

It was Jessica Korda. The 6-time LPGA champion announced in 2023 that she was going on an indefinite break because of severe back pains. Her maternal leave of 2 years also played a perfect timing as the Czech-American rested up and is using this year to reassess the severity of her condition and eyeing 2026 for a return to the rough. In fact, the mere swing mechanics that use multiple essential muscles to generate enough power for a shot has kept many professional golfers on the bench or at their homes. Now, there is another golfer who bid adieu to the green after giving over two decades to the sport due to a right wrist arthritis issue.

No one would argue that Michelle Wie West is one of the best golfers of all time. Starting her career at a young age of 12 years, the golfing legend found success within 3 years. She even almost qualified for 2004 men’s Sony Open when she teed it up and carded a second-round 68. The young talent was so good that she ultimately finished just one shy of making the cut. Fast forward to today, West has amassed five LPGA wins, the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, Course No. 2 in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and much more. But a cruel condition of arthritis that have been a constant struggle since 2007 but got worse in 2020 with her first child born and forced her to leave the sport at the LPGA Tour in 2024 at the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links. But with her “Never say never” mentality, she gave us a glimpse of her possible return recently appearing at the Pebble Beach. However, the ghosts of her injury-laden past are still here and although she does not live in the past, she knows exactly what may have put her on injury risks today.

Previously appearing on the podcast In The Scoop, West said, “I thought about it for a really long time. I think unfortunately I was kind of forced into the decision somewhat because of my injuries and what’s going around for so long, talking to hand surgeons and should do if I want to keep playing and there just wasn’t an answer forward.” After years of struggling that showed the world the resiliency of the Korean American golfer.

Now, two years later, she joined the Quiet Please podcast hosted by Mel Reid and Kira Dixon. Discussing the probable reason behind her injuries, West said, “They (Her trainers back in the day) actually banned me from my stretching. I was so loose and, like, so double jointed that I, like, I had to, like, do all the stability work. They wouldn’t let me… I feel like sports science, especially when it comes to children, needs a lot of work. I just don’t think there’s enough research. I felt like I was being trained like a adult, whereas, you know, there’s so many nuances when it comes to a growing body, especially females. I feel like there’s just aren’t much research being done especially to growing female bodies. I wish I had trained smarter. I definitely think I got injured a lot faster because I was doing things, especially with my swing too.”

As mentioned before, Wie started playing golf when she was just 12 years old. Not only was her body growing but she was picking a sport that needed her to be, not just mentally, but physically strong as well. Point in case, she told Reid and Dixon her golf set back in the day. “I was (playing) the ball 300 yards, I was using a 46-inch extra thick shaft, 7 ½ degree driver, just whipping it with absolutely zero body strength. So just like banging against my body when you don’t realize that as much as you accelerate, you have to be able to decelerate in your swing which I learned later on in life which I wish I learned earlier I don’t think I ever set a proper foundation. Yeah, you know, like, said, I was training like a man who was about to play professional sports, which is so different. I was trying power cleans when I was 15. Like why? Why was I ever doing that?

“But then again none of my injuries from golf came from golf. Truly, I don’t think I, besides my arthritis, I don’t think there’s any injury that I received that was from golf.” The 36-year-old certainly knows how to keep the mood humorous as she now laughs at the very reason that has become a divide between her and golf.

Back in 2023 during her last event, Wie reminisced her career with Sarah Kellam of LPGA: “My life on tour, it was up and down. I can’t say it was all good. I’ve had some of the worst years, especially dealing with injuries. A lot of the years there’s a lot of heartache that is associated with it, truthfully. But you know, it was all worth it.” Wie also pointed out how despite all the mistakes, from not giving her body proper rest to heal to waiting for recovery after her first baby was born in 2020, she still has no ‘What if?’ moment.

“There’s a lot of mistakes that I’ve made in that career. Are those regrets? No, because I’ve learned from them,” she said. “You have to make mistakes; you have to make the wrong decision. From time to time, I think the only regret that I have, or thing that I would learn from if I did it again, is to be more patient with my body. I rushed it when I should (have) just let things rest naturally instead of rushing the process. That’s probably something that I would learn to do better next time. But no regrets.”

Through injuries and motherhood, the golfer had to take the tough call. But her love for the sport isn’t going away any time soon. Her recent appearance at Pebble Beach also hinted at her possible comeback.

Michelle Wie West is practicing again

Just five months after putting the sport she loved since she was a child on pause, West told TMZ, “Never say never.” Giving hope to the golfing world again, eh? The 5-time LPGA winner had mentioned how she spent time with her family and gardening throughout the break and that, “I definitely don’t practice, that’s for sure, I just play.” However, motherhood isn’t easy and Michelle knows that exactly as she ended her short interview with TMZ saying, “I’m a mom — I don’t relax!”

Now, despite stepping away from her career early, West was seen on the course again. On February 6, she shared a post on Instagram, showcasing her elegant swing at Pebble Beach, right after the event ended. The caption of the post read, “So nice to be back @pebblebeachresorts.” The mother of two returned to the green again a week later where she apparently won over her husband Jonnie West for a “Pre-Valentine’s Day Golf Match.” The caption for the reel read, “Golf is always more fun when you win 😜😜 @jonniewest4 😘 Thanks for the fun day @discoverylandcompany !!! @northshorepreserve” And she was back just yesterday with her daughter as she posted an Instagram story with the caption, “Morning bombs” as her 4-year-old daughter tried her swings.

Even though the golfer has juggled multiple jobs as a professional and as a mother, she has always been able to deliver a beautiful performance. Everyone definitely wants to see her play on the professional field even though she hid the condition “just because I didn’t want to feel weak.” Further, she shed light on the details during an interview with Golfweek about the injury and not any probable solution to deal with it. Eventually, it did take a toll on her overall mental health, and she took the tough decision to prioritize motherhood and rest.

However, so far, there is no timeline for her return, and she is enjoying her motherhood. But if she does make a comeback, the question that would remain would be for how long. Moving back to the green would surely be attractive for her after almost two years of absence but a lot of factors would also be considered by her and her physical therapy team. Will she return to the course? What are your thoughts on it? Share with us in the comments section below.