Michelle Wie West shares touching moment with daughter after Riviera exit

Michelle Wie West endured a difficult return to major championship golf this week, missing the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club after rounds of 75 and 74.

The 2014 champion, making her first appearance at a major in four years, finished at seven-over-par, a total that left her outside the top 100 on the leaderboard when she completed her second round in Southern California. 

The five-time LPGA winner will not feature over the weekend.

It marks another missed cut in her comeback attempt, following last month’s Mizuho Americas Open, where she also struggled in her return to competitive action as tournament host, posting rounds of 82 and 80.

Despite the result, Wie West remained reflective about the experience of competing again at the highest level.

“I would be lying to say I wasn’t disappointed. I would have loved to have made the cut today, granted all day,” she said after her second-round 74 on Friday. 

“But I had a blast honestly, with playing here at Riv, such a special week to have played it, and to have family, friends, a lot of familiar faces coming out, it was a lot of fun.”

Wie West announced in March that she was returning to golf after a break of more than three years, having stepped away following the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach. 

Last month she confirmed a new equipment deal with McLaren Golf, alongside both Justin Rose and Ian Poulter. 

Her appearance at Riviera marked a symbolic return to major championship golf, even if the competitive outcome fell short. 

She described the week as both challenging and rewarding, acknowledging the nerves that came with returning to elite competition.

“Definitely felt a little scarier coming back, just being gone for so long,” she said. 

“You work so hard for just like really one week. It definitely was nerve-racking, but at the same time, it was a lot of fun to come play. Pebble just truly felt like the end. This was just a bonus, and a great bonus to be able to play at Riv — and to be able to play another U.S. Open.”

On the 17th hole, Wie West birdied before finishing her round with a par at the last. 

Cameras later captured her sharing an emotional moment on the green with her daughter.

Reflecting on that moment, she added: “As soon as I hugged her, she was like, ‘Can I go to daycare?’ I’m glad I did all this for her,” Wie West said with a laugh. 

“It’s fun to see your kids grow up and really start to have their own passions and everything. The reason why she wanted to go up to daycare was because she wanted to go play with Brittany Lang’s kid. That’s also just so crazy to know that I’ve known Brittany Lang since I was 13, and now our kids are playing together and are best friends. It’s awesome. It’s fun to see the time go by, and I feel blessed.”

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