It’s been a year since Michelle Wie West decided to put down her clubs. While we all miss seeing her on the greens, retiring has given her more time with her family—which, honestly, is also a win in her life. It feels like just yesterday she was struggling with whether or not to leave the sport behind. Then, as if life gave her the perfect timing, her daughter Makenna came along in 2020. Michelle once said that having Makenna was what kept her going in golf a little longer. “I would’ve probably retired before [I had] her, but she actually extended my career. I really wanted to come back and play with her. So I’m really glad I got that experience.”

Indeed, she has made her daughter proud, and regardless of whether she is participating in the course or not, she is an incredible mother. And now, it’s not just for Makenna but also her little brother, Jagger Jerry YooJun West, who was recently welcomed into the family. Since West is now a mother of two, her responsibilities and happiness have just doubled.

Ever since she gave birth to Jagger, she has been quite updated about her life on social media. Recently, she shared a story where her daughter can be seen practicing her golf swing with her dad. It’s both adorable and kind of amazing to see her daughter already taking up the clubs. Watching Makenna’s dedication reminds Michelle of something she wishes she’d done more as a kid herself. So, what’s that?

Michelle Wie West regrets not doing this more as a kid

Back in 2000, 10-year-old Michelle Wie West made history as the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. Just three years later, she was breaking records again, becoming the youngest to make the cut at an LPGA tournament—the Kraft Nabisco Championship in Southern California—and at the U.S. Women’s Open. Impressive, right? Well, perhaps the now 35-year-old West is certainly not content with that.

In the story she shared on her Instagram handle, she playfully captioned it, writing, “How many more tournaments would I have won if I took putting more seriously as a kid.” But with five LPGA tour wins under her belt, she doesn’t need to worry too much as her resume is already pretty spectacular!

Even though West has stepped away from professional golf, it’s clear that the game is still in her blood. So how does she stay connected to the sport, even after leaving it behind?

Life after golf

Leaving behind something she dreamed of as a kid must have been really tough for West. But that’s certainly not something she regrets. “I made what was a very difficult personal decision to step away from playing full time, but at the end of the day, what’s most important to me, to my parents, and to my husband is doing what makes me content,” said the athlete previously in an interview.

It’s good to see West happy with her decision, especially since she has found a way to stay close to her passion. While her children and family are her top priority, she also invests her time to promote the game as a way to encourage girls looking for challenges and guidance. In an effort for the same, she recently served as the tournament host at the Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J. Apart from that, she is often involved in causes aimed at getting girls, adolescents, and young women into the game of golf.