What happened to Michelle Wie? | Golf Stories

[@Stewart5225]

Wow, that was a great video! Well done and Thank you. After watching your video I’m now a Huge Michelle Wie fan.

[@neilsanders4097]

She was pushed too fast and too hard Glad she's married and raising a family Get out of the limelight and enjoy life Wish her and her family the best

[@johnserrano8683]

Very well said ! Hope 2 see come back!

[@MarkSmith-lz5rk]

Happens a lot more than people think...every once in a while you get someone with this level of talent that loved being pushed and wanted more and more...thats when you end up with a tiger or Jack...but I really think you have to have a screw loose to get that good, like no joke I think you have to be crazy because what normal person wouldn't be burnt out by what she was out thru as a young girl...don't blame her...and at the end of the day...she made millions, has a great family, and seems happy...so I think she turned out OK

[@enigmaticbrain1225]

Having been a sports fan my entire life it always amazes me when an athlete is labeled a disappointment based on other peoples opinions of how good they should have been based on what those very same people believe their talent level is. Talent evaluation is an inexact science. Always has been, always will be. Maybe, just maybe, every player in every sport is exactly what they appear to be. And maybe talent evaluators are just plain wrong a lot. But I suppose it’s easier to label athletes as a disappointment or underachiever than it is to look at your evaluation process and realize you were just flat out wrong.

[@dark3rthanshadows]

single sports is hard cause if u lose it's all on you. tehe competition is to cutthroat, i've seen the same on Tennis .

[@gigantor62]

Finding happiness in your personal life is all that matters.

[@banjopete]

Steve Bronson , that can change but achievement is forever.

[@readmore3634]

@Cobb Knobbler So...finding unhappiness in your personal is all that matters? I wish I had M. Wie's problems. But that's just me.

[@readmore3634]

@Cobb Knobbler "'Most people define personal life as their romantic relationship?" For me, (the smart ass, brick in the wall) one has their work/professional life and their personal (home/family) life. Sorry, Steve Bronson's reply was meant to be positive. I was merely making jest.

[@tmcge3325]

Well, she is a Mom.....has plenty of Money in the Bank and I believe she is HAPPY! In my opinion, she WON!

[@Randsurfer]

At age 14 at the PGA Sony Open, I followed Michelle's 3-some both days. She was longer than the 2 male pros she was with. Her 2nd day was so good.

[@gyanendrasrivastava2888]

through all the ups and downs, it comes out clear that Michelle is one of the greatest players in golf history. Her drives are near perfect. Her small tips to learners lucidly bring out the core of the game. I have highest admiration for her

[@DGolfer60]

It was a pleasure to meet and speak with her in 2014; very gracious and genuine person. Honestly I think she was pushed very hard by sponsors and certainly family members at an extremely young age and that will cause an intelligent, motivated young person with varied interests to get burned out so I think what happened was pretty much to be expected and I agree with most of your conclusion. I congratulated her on her major win as well as her communications degree from Stanford and actually have a picture with her in my collection that I treasure. Best of luck Michelle in and out of golf and the limelight!

[@Ed-yh8dg]

Michelle is doing fine and still a big fan! If winning half a dozen tour wins plus a major while making millions in endorsements while earning a Stanford degree is a disappointing career, I think most of us would take that in a heartbeat! Also taller slender athletes can develop injuries to the joints like her wrists and thats an important part for golf. Playing since four and being driven by parents probably wasn’t great for avoiding burnout; I know lots of promising athletes other sports fall into the same trap from being pushed by daddy ball parents. Really rooting for Michelle when she comes back!

[@Rick9482]

Hey, life happens! Just stay the course Michelle and enjoy your life. That's what's important! I still believe great things are in store for you in golf.

[@stuartcampbell4626]

I see what you did: "I'm glad she won a major and also graduated from Stanford...that still stands for something." Clever! (Actual Stanford graduate here who has never thought of such word play.) Hope the birth of her child helps her do a sort of Victoria Azarenka! Having a child often puts things in perspective. Just go out there, Michelle, have fun, rip it long, and no regrets.

[@johnanderson8096]

That was very well done!!! Wishing Michelle the best... If Johnnie is anything like his father, Michelle married a very good man...

[@andrewbutcher3391]

I followed her round the British Open including standing about a foot away from her. There was an aura about her. A truly stunning girl. It was putting that let her down that day.

[@yoyo762]

Her natural swing was classic and very good. Then she went to that idiot Ledbetter and he destroyed her natural ability with his silly, gimmicky ideas about the golf swing. She was never the same after the swing change.

[@jakethemuss3]

David Leadpoison.

[@TheCowboychris]

absolutely

[@seymourbutts5277]

Leadbetter is a clown

[@MarkSmith-lz5rk]

Yep leadbetter destroyed her...took a talented golfer with a natural athletic swing and created a mockery of her with that dumb ass a swing crap and ruined her

[@richteisnert6827]

Same case of Lydia Ko

[@geoffbell9962]

Just love to see the best play and she is one of them. We all underperform but compared to Michelle she is so far ahead its always great to watch a person who is so good at their craft,it gives us inspiration.. hope she keeps playing..

[@bobgeddes7193]

Nicely presented, saw her play once, amazing golf talent. Wie Love you.

[@haroldsingh7713]

Get back soon Michelle. You can rule any day. We miss you!

[@MrZola1234]

Very arguably the greatest 14-15 year old golfer ever....man or woman.

[@davidharrison4632]

very good video, Michelle is one of my all time favorite LPGA players. :) sadly injuries and swing changes didn't help in the past few years have hindered her throughout though she now has a baby girl and is practicing for the upcoming US Women's Open in December and will be a vice captain for the 2021 Solhiem Cup :) Hope she'll come back and win again :)

[@wreckim]

What happened to Michelle Wie is the same thing that would have happened to Tiger Woods if his father would have put him into Long Drive Competitions against 250lb guys, while still an amateur and still growing at age 16. It is crazy to think just how hard a young woman the size of Michelle Wie had to swing to achieve those clubhead speeds; she was as long as SOME of the men. She tried to make cuts and swing harder on PGA tour events. What for? Well, it did make a name for her, but at a huge cost. Then she went through some trauma and honestly, she became dishonest on and off the golf course as well. She was destined to be the greatest female golfer of all time IMO. Ruined that opportunity, but seems to be having a good life now.

[@geoffrobson1195]

Really good review and commentary. Thank you. I hope Michelle does come back with a new insight to what she can achieve in the sport,. I can see the movie now lol

[@kskloset]

I saw her at NA in 2019 with her fiancé. I think she found love and that made her a better person all around.

[@kskloset]

ANA*

[@johnserrano8683]

Another spectacular video! Anaks are you a golfnut ! Or just great story teller! You real good. Do what you do !

[@andybaker473]

Great video.... I've been fortunate to watch Michelle Wie from a very young age here in Hawaii. And while I cannot profess to have the answer to "what happened" I do do have my own observations/theories: 1) Michelle did not learn to win at an early age. She did not play high school, she did compete and win multiple women's and men's amateur events in Hawaii. However, this did not develop a consistent level of winning and dominance that was tested and proven on the field of play. Her talent was honed on the practice range. 2) Great point about the men's tour events. Almost making the cut in the Sony at Waialae set her up for the future set-backs. What's missed in the discussion is that Waialae CC was almost a second home course for Michelle. It may have been that her success in the Sony was illusionary. 3) Parental involvement - I've walked multiple tournaments in Hawaii where I've witnessed Michelle being followed by her parents. I've always come away with the impression that the "parental scrutiny" was too intense, even when Michelle had become an adult. Furthermore, I've noticed much of the same while watching LPGA events from around the world on the Golf Channel. We'll never know the true story behind this dynamic.....but I've often felt that Michelle's artwork, which is is very dark, is communicating something that is not healthy. 4) Leadbetter teaches a very mechanical technique./ If one piece of the puzzle is off, everything is off. Additionally I'm sure that "parental" guidance pushed Leadbetter to find more distance in Michelle's swing so that she could make a men's tour cut. I hope she does come back and competes on the LPGA tour - but on her own terms. If she doesn't, at least she can be the absolute best in the world's most important job - a mom.

[@geoffrobson1195]

Andy Baker, I like what you have said in all your points. Very well said and very fair in your observations. Thank you for your apparently unbiased comments. I, too, love to see people with such great talent finally get to enjoy their talent on their own terms. Cheers

[@thomasr.3592]

I watched Michelle as she went through her career and cheered for her. She was fun to watch because of how good she was at such a young age. When her injuries got into her head she couldn't work through them so she gave up. Gals to her about her marriage and daughter. Maybe some day she will come back and play.

[@chucklucas8747]

I loved watching her play she had a great swing

[@jirasakmalaengpoothong8663]

She was sensational during her amateur years. But one of the misleading factors in her golf life was her long distance drive ! At her prime she could drive 300 +/- yards. With this ability she thought could compete in men tournaments which this proved to not be the case because of many factors like course layout, length, thick rough..etc. they're for sure tougher than women tournaments. Don't know if these had affected her confidence or started to cause injuries, nonetheless when she decided to contend in women tournaments which should be much easier for her, her performance was much lower than expected. Hope and wish that Stecy Lewis's win after being a mom would inspire her to be well back in the tours again.

[@mymoto2812]

Michelle will come back and stronger ever.

[@texan996]

While Michelle Wie never sold herself as the women's Tiger Woods, her father did her wrong in allowing Wie to participate in a PGA Tour Tournament when she hasn't accomplished anything in the LPGA tour. That was a disaster in building her confidence in how to dominate.

[@iangodsell9073]

Well balanced video; thought she bit off more than she could chew too early. Don't know whose idea that was; probably ill advised - based on greed. Having said that my wife and I came over from Australia to volunteer at the two Opens at Pinehurst in 2014. For the final day I was a stand marshall for the green at 18 for the Women's event, about 10 yards from where they finished. I could not have been happier to see Michelle finish and win a big tournament finally!! Tears rolled down this old guy's face. Could have jumped over the railing and hugged her! There IS life beyond golf. Enjoy the journey, Michelle.

[@papahajek5383]

Great video. I thought early on that pushing adult responsibilities on a child might burn her out. It seems that I was wrong. She obviously has the mental power and physical stamina to compete at the highest levels. Her injuries may have been avoided by letting her body mature a little slower, but the opportunities of a child star can't be revisited so it looks like we may see more of her. If so good, if not I hope she has a good life.

[@Labgorilla]

Wrist injuries are brutal. Her life has blossomed and no one can take away her wins on tour. I count that as huge life wins.

[@John_Wood_]

Seems to happen a lot of women in golf.

[@cjcjcjcjcjcjcjcj]

She’s a cheat. period.

[@John_Wood_]

@@cjcjcjcjcjcjcjcj whats this about?

[@samspade3227]

I followed her for a couple of holes a few years ago, very impressed. Especially her putting style.

[@csidba]

Well produced and researched! Hopefully we haven't seen the last of Michele with a golf club in her hand. That would be a disservice to the game and such a talented athlete.. Thank you....

[@chompnormski]

As a golfer I say she’s a badass! She just needs to slow down her swing and focus more on accuracy rather than distance.

[@thepimpernel6971]

A bunch of folks ( fans ) put their dreams and hopes on these folks...I listen to guys talk about players of all sports and what they need to do and not do..its hilarious a bunch of guy who could not beat time with a big stick...talking about why a pro athlete fails or succeeds. She went to Stanford for a reason....SHE WANTED TO GO TO STANFORD that simple. I have listened to Rory McCllroy speak and he seems to acknowledge his entire life is not going to be about him playing golf and golf is is ALL HIS LIFE WILL AMOUNT to. I think he has it just bout right. I think so has Ms Wie.

[@ianbreen1658]

She had tremendous talent coached out of her

[@johnhue8933]

Ian Breen Correct another classic case of Lead Poisoning working with Leadbetter ruined her.

[@TheHezzii]

You should do a video on what happened to Jordan Spieth?.. 🤷‍♂️

[@yoyo762]

@J P He is just in a lull. All players have them once in a while.

[@CarlVandenberg]

@@yoyo762 I agree, I mean he's only 27 and already has 14 wins including 3 majors. A lot of guys don't even make it to the tour until their late 20's. If it gets to the point where he loses his card or something then it might be time to make that video.

[@daddar15]

I'll tell you what happened. His swing is horrendous, but he's a phenom when it comes to putting. The stretch where he won all of those Majors he was hitting almost 1/4 putts from 25+ feet while other top golfers were making 1/10. In the past 5 years distance has become a huge factor and while guys like Dustin Johnson and Bryson Dechambeau can hit the ball 350 yards he can't hang. His confidence has plummeted and he no longer putts as well.

[@martinsutherland5502]

Lengthy debriefing by her parents after tournaments wars just ridiculous. She was the family business and her management (Parents) ran her into the ground both physically and especially psychologically. I wish her well.

[@blahblahmeowchow6383]

Welcome to Asian family values!

[@davidjouvrot4236]

txs for the video. I did wonder what had happened to her. I think playing any sport at a high level of competitively at such a young age is a recipe for failure down the line. Not sure she did what she really wanted when she wanted . Think sponsors and family greed for $$ and fame may have cost her her early career. Wish her the best and would not mind see her again in these LPGA events

[@ruskolnikov7211]

It’s interesting that people seemed irked that she had so much endorsement money while not having proven herself yet. She was a super attractive girl with charisma and an elegant swing. Who can be blamed for what is naturally marketable?

[@ruskolnikov7211]

Cobb Knobbler Damn. I think she’s way fine. You must be dating some goddesses. Congratz.

[@hermannvanzyl6754]

To be a professional golf star is very demanding - the pressure and expectations at an early age took the fun out of the game. She, however, found happiness, a family and learned to be her own person. She will be back as a more matured person, a fire in golf that will consume everything in its way.

[@jongalt6837]

Great stuff, could watch these all day, keep em coming.

[@josephdubiel7129]

Interesting. I think I will just say that I wish Michelle well and hope she will have some golfing success in the future. She is one of the few golfers that actually used an 11 Wood at times. I have used one on and off myself. I hope she has some tournament wins in her future.

[@jhughes19851]

the 90 degree posture putting is insane

[@williamweathers7818]

Michelle is one of the most amazing women to play golf at such a young age to take on just the possibility I remember watching her and Ernie Els swing and at that time I became of Michelle Wie fan... if she should ever put her golf IQ to the real test I would recommend at the LPGA look out for the real comeback.

[@ronjessie8194]

Great video, Hope to see Michelle back in action soon, I am sure it will not be before she is ready.

[@calvinnishimura605]

Always will be a Michelle fan...🤙🏼

[@dmd7472]

Here after Rudy fiddling with his mic Guiliani made the knicker comments. Excellent watch.

[@jongalt6837]

Would love to see one on, David Duval and Jordan Speith..

[@John_Wood_]

DD got slim and screwed up his back. Speith is still young and has had a great career even if it finished tomorrow.

[@Yesquire0]

When Spieth was stringing major wins together, he had outside help with his putts from aliens. That's the only possible explanation that makes any sense. Nobody, on his own, could both read the greens and hit the putts with just the right speed and borrow to continuously sink everything. So, yes, a video revealing the presence of alien life amongst us would instantly go viral.

[@Yesquire0]

It's water way under the bridge by now, but the precipitous decline of Johnnie Miller would also make for a good video of this sort.

[@John_Wood_]

@@Yesquire0 Faldo said it about McIlroy "lets see how good he is when he starts missing a few putts". Same applies to Speith, he was putting in to a bin during his hot streak

[@stevef4010]

He already did Duval. I just watched it.

[@TheLocalLt]

Part of the impetus for Michelle wie getting those sponsor invites was the PGA Tour trying to improve their image among women, the year before Wie’s debut at Sony, the Colonial tournament gave Annika Sorenstam an invite which Vijay Singh complained about, leading to lots of negative press about golf and how “terrible” it is. This was also during the time when Augusta was going sponsor-free because of protests against its all-male membership. Wie was touted as the female player who could make the cut in a men’s event as a teenager, despite the great champion Sorenstam having been unable to, and for Wie to potentially compete against men on a regular basis or even full-time, like a golfing Danica Patrick (who also became famous around the same time). The LPGA rejecting her was seen as an idiotic move at the time. When she came within a shot of making the cut at the 04 Sony, the hype seemed potentially real. The hype faded a bit after she failed again to make the cut at the 05 Sony and then real questions about the viability of a playing career against men started following another missed cut in the 06 Sony. She then got a few tournament invites to dying PGA Tour events desperate for attention and a new sponsor in late 2006, such as the 84 Lumber Classic which was indeed in its final edition. After Sony gave its sponsor invite to Tadd Fujikawa in 2007, Wie’s hype train had run out of fuel

[@stevef4010]

Early stages of Marxism

[@jasonjillain8940]

Sometimes you have to wonder when an athlete is so good so young. Was it truly her dream or as so many athletes get caught up in the dreams of their parents. Maybe she just didn't love to play. Maybe it wasn't her path or true purpose. When this is the case we feel lost and success with this mind set is very difficult.

[@nicolasbitcoin2549]

Nothing wrong with 7-8 wins, a degree from Stanford and being a mother 😂. Oh and 20+ millions in the bank

[@Minoltalphafan]

Yea, that is a big win in my book.

[@MarkSmith-lz5rk]

Exactly...at some point Id look at that and go...ehhhh I'm fine with the way my life turned out

[@randallarmstrong1840]

Yes

[@gyro313]

only in the USA

[@yaokomedja5246]

Absolutely. Besides, she’s like what...30 yrs old?? She can still play. Beautiful woman, beautiful career and beautiful life!

[@davegustafson6106]

I agree with you, that she did too much too soon, but now with marriage and a baby, this will give her a new perspective once fully healthy to enjoy golf and win a few more tournaments.I love Michelle!

[@steveng8727]

In every interview she is so sweet, articulate and humble..big fan of hers...her father in law Jerry West wasn't too bad at basketball either..

[@MarkSmith-lz5rk]

Yep seems genuine...too bad about golf but she got a Stanford degree and a shit load of money...at the end of her life, golf is a blip on the radar

[@radar0412]

The Expectations for Michelle Wie were unrealistic. The Odds are against You if you try to consistently play at a Championship Level. Her game was extraordinary. Unfortunately, like Most, her psychology was Not.

[@vroomgc]

Totally agree, her body and mind started to go downhill

[@radar0412]

@J P Other than her length off the tee, I'll give you that.

[@radar0412]

@J P She was EXTRAORDINARY long with the driver, won 5 times and had a US Open. Some Tour players have Zero wins, and will NEVER win a Major. Her career isn't exactly considered a failure. 🤐😂🤣

[@Yesquire0]

Power is at the same time both an astounding advantage and deceiver. If you have the power to reach all the par 5 holes in two, you are playing a par 68 or par 67 golf course while the short hitters are playing a par 72 course, which, over four rounds, adds up to a 16-shot advantage. Not that the power advantage is that clear-cut, but any kid who can pound the ball can really impress the world with scores in the high 60's every round even when not really having bringing his or her "A" game to the course. In fact, that kid doesn't even need an "A" game until he or she gets challenged by the best in the world. As the competition mounts, everybody hits the ball over the horizen, and any player lacking mastery of the driver and the wedge and the short irons and the long irons and the sand wedge and the putter, especially the putter, will not prosper on the PGA or LPGA. With failure comes the constant tinkering and a swing that was once utterly thoughtless and natural becomes screwed up by all sorts of "swing thoughts". In Michelle's case, she developed severe putting woes, too. It does not look like it was anything mechanical. Based upon her eventual success with the table-top style, I'd guess it was visual. She could not align her putter face with the intended path of a putt. That's pretty much the only explanation for hitting two-footers that never touch the hole. The golfer is hitting the ball perfecly on line, but that golfer's eyes and mind are not seeng the location of the hole correctly, or cannot align the putter in their hands with what their mind is seeing. Putting is almost half the game. Michelle's length advantage was overwhelmed by her inability to putt at even an average level for a pro. If it wasn't for the early announcements that she was going to be the greatest female golfer the world had ever seen, we'd say she has had a fine career, achieving way more that what the typical young girl entering the LPGA ever achieves.

[@Tlhakxza]

I agree with you 100%, golf unfortunately is not at all about length,you have to,absolutely have to be deadly with your wedges and flat stick. Tell you what,I’m 1,68M(5”7), 80KG(176Pounds), play off a 6, I’m South African...I occasionally play with my white counterparts(Mostly Afrikaans,who are of DUTCH descent) now,those folk are 6” and above natural freaks of nature,and as a result they send the ball into the stratosphere,they hit it prodigiously long,350M is normal to them while with me I’d be very lucky to get it at 280M,but the one aspect where I excel is my short game which is their archilles,it’s just painful to watch at times a guy bombing it but witness disaster unfold from 100M in. Michelle’s downfall is that flat stick,if you can’t get a complete hole of that aspect of the game then you’re dead in the water,without a sound line reading technique on the green then you unfortunately have no golf to talk about,I’d rather be short from the box but be viciously mean with my putter.✌🏿😉

[@normangoldstuck8107]

Not helping Bryson De Chambeau consistently. He's a big hitter and when it comes off-ok. When it doesn't he crashes.

[@rah7868]

@@Tlhakxza In my 40's and 50's I hit balls all the time and was a decent ball striker and OK feel putter but rarely practiced my short game, certainly not enough to matter. I broke 70 frequently on reasonably difficult slope courses and played to a 9 but with the exception of easy courses never played to my swing. Had I spent 30% or more of my practice time on my short game I could have been a 4 or 5 maybe lower who knows. The biggest thing is I never had the emotional toughness on the golf course even in non tournament rounds or I could have probably been scratch so I'm not saying this without some small frame of reference. This is reference to Michelle being a Tiger, Annika type superstar. The reality is the public loved and hated Michelle because of the idiotic decisions to play over her head. She was too young to make decisions on her own and her parents seemed to love her but apparently bought in to the hype and essentially ruined her. Michelle is a lovely young women and now mother but just didn't appear to have "it" on the golf course. The video didn't refer to her having an obsession with practice which if she didn't contributed much more to her weakness than referred to. When you think about it, it's remarkable she accomplished what she did on the LPGA. Another thing is injuries in golf are frequent especially for big hitters and often caused by the wrong type or lack of both practice and physical fitness. Sounds like Michelle had that problem. You don't see videos or commentary on her off the tournament work ethic so it would appear to not be what was expected of her talent. Watching golf for 50 years it is evident Jack, Tiger, Anna and Lorena had that something many other players just don't seem to have the biggest being the flat stick under pressure. Many top level professional golfers both female and male can strike the ball just not when the lights are on. Plus the superstars worked their butts off and lived golf. Jack Nicklaus once told Ricky Fowler if he wanted to be Ricky Fowler or a professional golfer. He either doesn't have "it" or is satisfied with being where he is. It's a mental toughness that particularly in golf requires the "it". Relatively speaking, winning on the LPGA is just as difficult for women as it is for the men on the PGA. It takes raw talent, skill, back breaking work ethic and being mentally tough. It's a shame we didn't get to see Michelle blossom to the level of Annika and Lorena. She would have been a Tiger like superstar. If she's OK with it then who are we to say what she should have done? Good luck and God Bless to Michelle.

[@cspain5795]

Lorena Ochoa was the best in the game IMO. Retired waaaaay too soon.

[@mikehiggins946]

ANNIKA would like a word with you.

[@larrydonguy]

Looks like she's ready to have good life which is the important thing. As for her competitive golfing career , however, she was hurt from the get go by vastly too much hype and vastly unrealistic expectations. It should be common knowledge that girls usually develop more rapidly than boys and often reach their raw athletic peaks in their mid teens. The fact that at fourteen she was better than almost any fourteen year old boy was never going to be predictive of the future and her parents and other adults helping to guide her golfing career should have realized this.

[@liambowerman4936]

Just let her live her life. Stop staying she should be this or that or she’s under achiever . All the best to her and her little one 👍

[@jimmyng786]

She has a beautiful life.

[@Ron502008]

She is an example of one who valued fame and money over a true desire to be great. Nothing wrong with that. That is why the true greats are so great.

[@networkbike543]

I didnt realise she got married and had a baby. Great news.

[@olivierauberger]

Her US open win was great to watch.

[@rossfromhonolulu]

I live in Honolulu and I've played with Michele if I remember correctly at least 2x and played in the same tournaments as her 3x. I first played with her (and both her mom and dad on different occasions at Ala Wai muni) when she was in elementary school. She was a phenome as a 11 - 14 yr. old. Everyone commented on her length but she was the complete package, at that very young age she had a very good short game, could putt, but what impressed me the most was her ability to flight her ball and shape her shots. I think the 2 biggest factors of her demise were - her father (he claims to be much better then he really is... I've played with him 2x) control freak and lacking of grace for fellow competitors in a tournament and the 2nd being trusting in David Leadbetter. I couldn't believe what he did to her natural free-flowing swing... he turned her into an unnatural robot. Just my 2 cents...

[@mjm1012]

Also from Honolulu and I totally agree with Ross! Her controlling father and David Leadbetter led to her demise LOL! Don't remember his name but she should have stick with the same local swing coach she had in Hawaii.

[@erykvonkeith]

@@mjm1012 Similar story to Lydia Ko.

[@TomSr808]

Absolutely agree. Her coach in Hawaii was Casey Nakama. He developed many very good Jr golfers through his program. Leadbetter was the name at the time. He tried to change her swing to create more distance so she could compete with the men. Michelle’s game before Leadbetter was plenty good enough to compete with the ladies on the LPGA.

[@mjm1012]

@@TomSr808 Mahalo Tom for revealing the coaches' name👍👏

[@erykvonkeith]

@@mjm1012 You have to ride the horse that took you there.

[@Wowreally42]

Man, you did a REALLY good job with this video. Thorough and well thought out. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@putusuabawa721]

Leadbetter changed her style from a smooth elegant golf swing to a rigid mechanical golf swing that is trying too hard to control the ball but often fails.

[@MarkSmith-lz5rk]

It takes a real dipshit to mess up talent this good...once in a lifetime golfer and he fucked it up

[@HalloMoose]

I think Leadbetter low key also messed up Lydia Ko...

[@ohahilo3574]

Coming from Hawaii I followed Michelle's career. She was never the same after David Leadbetter inconsistent frustrated and injury prone. He screwed up a generational talent

[@johnnypenso9574]

Michelle is like every other #1 draft pick who excels at the Junior level but just can't compete on the biggest stage. She was great as a Junior but just wasn't cut out for the big leagues. I'd also hazard to guess that the early endorsement money gave her a sense of security and took away the hunger. Guys like Tiger, Jack, Arnie can have success and still burn to win. A lot of guys and gals can't.

[@sicboi]

Good luck to her and her future, have always looked out for her name in golf news.

[@chaseroberts3111]

it's the lack of total commitment , if you want to be like Tiger Woods you have to be as focused as he was. Skill will only take you so far, you need mental ability as well.

[@Acheron2010]

Nice video - well done.

[@jackgriggs805]

We all expect to much out of people like Michelle. Unless you’re willing to dedicate every waking moment of your time to that one thing you are destined for failure. Natural talent will only take you so far. You also need a single minded desire for greatness. Just my opinion 😊

[@MarkSmith-lz5rk]

Exactly...when someone has tiger woods talent its a "disappointment" that you don't become like tiger woods...well, there's a reason that there's only 1 tiger woods and 1 jack nicklaus...because those guys did give every waking moment of their life to it... Its amazing and exciting to see guys like tiger and Jack but the reason for that is cause it's sooooo rare....can you blame someone for wanting something besides golf...you can't just look at someone as a disappointment because you chose to not dedicate every single moment of your life to golf, thats not realistic...irs basically saying you MUST become the best ever and anything less is garbage... She won tournaments, for a degree from a super elite university, she's rich af...like come on...lay off of her peeps

[@rogeeeferrari]

Always loved watching her play, very gutsy player. As to what happened to her, she had an up and down career for sure but she got married and had a child, that can change your priority's...

[@bobbylazarus7022]

A lovely take on a lovely golfer!

[@billcaddell3848]

Ledbetter ruined her career. She had such a fluid, natural swing. Someone needs to tell Ledbetter if it aint broke-dont fix it.

[@dads2006gt]

She's a tough woman. She'll be back for sure and better than ever.

[@JL-qo7cs]

Nice to hear about her but I wish you would have said something about Ledbetter.

[@MrFranconn]

Great clip!!!

[@nicktucker3437]

injuries beat up a lot of athletes. Good lord it was fun to see her win that 2014 us open, though.

[@timburnette5914]

She’s won a major won a few other tournaments married a NBA owner had a sweet baby girl. She’s done a lot to still be so young. Live your best life now girl! Enjoy every minute of it and it you play another tournament good. If not that’s good too! 😊

[@jacec5855]

Shes going to come back and win.

[@markshi7052]

What happened with all that talent,her parents and David Leadbetter.Before Leadbetter she had the best long flowing swing swing in golf,just like Ernie Els.

[@sherlockgolf4775]

Miss Ya !! But Familia is firsts !! 🏌🏻‍♂️🏌🏻‍♂️!! She’ll be Back !!! 👀🤩😉😉

[@gman_livenow3487]

Nice job...well done...Aloha g

[@K9388-n3z]

Great channel

[@TheBigwillistyle]

My question now is the same in 2004...what was the rush?! If there were so many restrictions on her due to her age, why did she need to be rushed into pro golf? Without a doubt, it was physical and mental burnout. Let a kid be a kid.

[@ambirdie4163]

ive got another few more "what happened to" names for you boss! what about: luke donald, nick watney, jhonattan vegas

[@ambirdie4163]

@Cobb Knobbler yeah what happened to her!?!?

[@ambirdie4163]

@Cobb Knobbler she took the world by storms and just vanished? just checked the rolex world golf rankning women list and she is not even on it? maybe she got married???

[@ambirdie4163]

@Cobb Knobbler yeah! but i am so suprised to see luke donald isnt anywhere on the WGR either! he was former no.1 also one of my fav player, just not sure what happened and hope he can get back to his prime

[@jacksonfl]

Well done.

[@steveosullivan5262]

In my opinion, Michelle just got caught up in competition. The quality of golf on the LPGA in her era, improved dramatically. The Korean wave, which is still on going turned the sport on its head. Michelle was gifted golfer, but was not ready for the competition that she faced. Loved watching her play, rooted for every event. Still you could see she lost her passion for the game, before she went into Stanford. I am glad she on a major. She as very good for women's golf, but was treated harshly by the members. Catty almost.

[@jcece5270]

Minor injuries can lead to severe consequences, both physical and mental. She didn’t live up to the hype, but still had a career most would kill for

[@rogeryee5211]

Great Video Sir.

[@ron3393]

Nice video. Michelle Wie’s personal life appears to be awesome & I am happy for her. But when you are tagged as a phenom and paid the money she was, her golf career has been a disappointment, though it is hopefully not over. I followed her “phenom” years and it seemed all she cared about is playing against the men and ESPN was all over it. When she won the US Open, I was truly ecstatic. That weekend was like watching Tiger Woods in that I was that tuned in. If she resumes her golf career, maybe we get something similar to Andre Agassi’s tennis career, a lot of hype/endorsements and not much winning in the 1st half and focused 2nd half with multiple major wins and maybe a Hall of Fame career (though the LPGA’s HOF requirements has a point system of needing 27 points - 1 point for every tour win, 2 points for every major). If she returns, I will be rooting for her.

[@anaks247]

Thank you. Your comment is spot on!

[@JKCUISEMO]

Well done!

[@jamesmoninger1982]

People in Hawaii started to resent all of the sponsor's exemptions Wie received, perceiving that she never had to qualify for a tournament.

[@BIG-BlueNation8569]

Who cares what they promoted or projected. What happened is she decided to have a full time family instead of being promoted..

[@Account-rw1rt]

I love these!

[@markrimelspach7041]

I put this on the parents. Went for big bucks signing massive Nike contract at a young age which left her with no place to play and learn to win. Tiger remained amateur and could play golf at Stanford and enjoy that whole growing process. Michelle could not because she turned pro.

[@cebukid70]

Her parents ruined her career

[@jaydee5447]

Just loaded with talent...whatever happened it was between then ears

[@Brewster999]

Great work

[@SaintKimbo]

Why do people want Michelle to end up like Superstars, that ultimately fall apart in misery, look at Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe etc., even Tiger to an extent. If you watch her interviews, she's a humble, polite well adjusted person, who, justifiably, doesn't want to be put on a pedestal that only brings stress and unhappiness. She is very intelligent and knows what is good her, and that is all anyone should want for her.