Walking in the Footsteps of Annika Sorenstam, Life-Changing Idea at $2,750,000 LPGA Event Led by Michelle Wie West Receives a Plaudit

The LPGA is incomplete without the name of its legend, Michelle Wie West. Her unwavering tenacity has brought her several accolades, and helped advance the sport. She qualified for the USGA amateur championship at the age of ten, making her the youngest golfer ever. When West announced her retirement from professional golf after giving birth to her daughter, she undoubtedly upset the golf community.

But the LPGA veteran is returning to the course. She is coming back this time to serve as the LPGA Mizuho American Open’s host. But you can’t expect this exceptional golfer to do basic things. As a fervent supporter of women’s golf talent, she is introducing a novel format in the event that it is accepted by the golfing community, including Annika Sorenstam’s spouse.

Michelle Wie’s major update gets approval

The improvement of women’s golf is the long term goal of LPGA Tour’s new and innovative Mizuho American Open Tournament. With a purse of $$2,750,000, 24 young golfers will compete alongside 120 LPGA stars on the same course at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey. With increased encouragement and inspiration to achieve their golfing goals and professional guidance, junior golfers would undoubtedly benefit from this.

Read More: Days Ahead of Her First Event as a Host, Michelle Wie West Hopes To Wipe Out a ‘Huge’ Issue in Women’s Golf: “Players Are Being Treated…”

Mike McGee, the better half of Annika Sörenstam, an LPGA Tour legend and one of the top female players, recently tweeted his support for Wie West’s project. He shared a tweet from golf writer Beth Ann Nichols. In it, she shared a snippet of Michelle Wie West’s conversation about her format, and the post was captioned with, “Michelle Wie West set up a big sister program this week between @LPGA and @AJGAGolf players.” Soon after, Mike retweeted the post with the caption: “That is fantastic 👏”

Sorenstam has actually always been a vocal supporter of women’s equality in the golf industry. She had designed three courses in different parts of the world in such a way that golfers of any gender, age, or ability could enjoy them.

“If we’re going to grow this game, it needs to be more accessible for juniors and women,” says Sorenstam.

The fact that her spouse is supporting Michelle Wie West’s innovative format is not shocking. Well, this is not the first time Michelle Wie West has done something like this to support female golfers.

Michelle Wie partners with LA Golf

Wie West also collaborated with the golf supply company LA Golf, the previous year with the goal of providing LPGA athletes with equitable and fair support, both on and off the course. It stipulates that LA Golf will offer its LPGA partners total healthcare, along with paid maternity leave, performance-based bonuses, and travel concierge services.

“We’re looking into not so much as just throwing money, but what meaningful support can we provide women athletes that will make them feel like they’re taken care of,” said Wie West. “And all of this — it adds up, and hopefully this will help to elongate their career. They can play with less injuries. They can play with less stress and have mental health support, all of that.”

A 33-year-old golfer met with LA Golf CEO Reed Dickens, and together they developed this plan to support and promote women’s golf more and more, based on Wie West’s experiences and observations over the years. Although she has officially stopped playing golf, her uplifting energy will never leave the course. Her selfless efforts to increase golf’s accessibility, particularly for women, are commendable.

“I wanted to let people know that ‘Hey, I’m stepping back from golf, but I’m not stepping away from the game,” Wie West said. “I’m throwing myself even deeper into the game than I have been before and, hopefully, to make some meaningful impact.”

Watch this story – ‘I’m a nutcase’ Months after retiring Michelle Wie West baffles young PGA tour pro with her weird superstitions.