Michelle Wie
One of the faithful products of this new era
of Asian women golfers is 18 year old Michelle Wie. Known for
her towering height of 6'1" and her entrance on the PGA Tour, the
youngest of only four women to ever do so, she breaks all
boundaries, especially for Asian American women.
At the age of ten, she became the youngest
player ever to qualify for the Women's US Amateur Public Links
Championship. At 11, she won two of the oldest and most prestigious
women's amateur tournaments in her home state of Hawaii. That year
Wie also became the youngest player to qualify for a USGA amateur
championship and advanced into match play at the Women's U.S.
Amateur Public Links Championship. At 14 she set the record for
being the youngest female or male to ever win a USGA adult amateur
event. At 15, she turned professional and since then has set
numerous other records. In 2006, Time Magazine named her one
of 100 people who shape our world.
Due to her decision to decline entry in the
LPGA Tour qualifying school when she turned 18 and her focus mainly
on PGA events in which she has been sponsored to participate in,
she has generated a lot of controversy and criticism around her
name. Other professional golfers and critics have made harsh
blows about her "inapprorpiate apparel," fabricated injuries, and
questionable withdrawals from tournaments. In general, her
unconventional methods have made many hold her to a different
standard than most. Nevertheless, she is still one of the
most well-known female golfers and will continue to be for many
years to come.
Login