Michelle Wie West, the former U.S. Women’s Open winner, has announced she’s ending her retirement to participate in a cutting-edge indoor golf competition backed by golf superstars Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
The Hawaiian golfer stepped away from professional competition in 2023 after capturing five LPGA Tour victories during her career. She holds a limited ownership stake in TGL’s Los Angeles Golf Club squad, which features players Collin Morikawa, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Sahith Theegala.
“I’m excited for the chance to compete again through WTGL, which will be a powerful platform for women’s golf,” stated Wie West, who represented the U.S. in five Solheim Cup competitions. “I’m passionate about growing the game, and TGL has proved how new formats through the lens of innovation and creativity can bring golf to a broader audience.”
The LPGA partnered with TMRW Sports in January to launch the WTGL, featuring elite female golfers in rapid-fire team competitions at the SoFi Center located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Several top-ranked players have already committed to the league, including world number one Jeeno Thitikul, along with Charley Hull (ranked 3rd), Lydia Ko (6th), and Lottie Woad (8th).
Wie West made history in 2003 when she became the youngest player ever to survive the cut in an LPGA tournament at just 13 years old. Her career trajectory included a near-miss at making the cut in a men’s PGA Tour event the following year, though injuries and health issues plagued her throughout her professional journey.
