10:21 AM ET
Michelle Wie West, a five-time Solheim Cup veteran and 2014 U.S. Womens Open champion, will go back to Team USA as assistant captain.
Captain Pat Hurst selected Wie West, 30, to work alongside previously revealed assistant captain Angela Stanford when Team USA competes against Team Europe at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, set up for Sept. 4-6, 2021.
” As soon as I heard the news [that Hurst was chosen captain in January], I right away texted Pat, resembling, If you havent chosen your assistant captains yet, I simply would like to be even thought about,” Wie West stated during a Zoom call Wednesday. “I just feel extremely honored, when I actually got that phone call when she picked me as assistant captain. I was simply overjoyed.”
Wie West, who won five LPGA Tour occasions in addition to her significant, represented Team USA at Solheim Cups in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017. In both of Team USAs success in 2015 and 2017, Hurst was Wie Wests pod leader– Team USA uses a pod system developed to group 4 players together as a mini-team within the team of 12– under team captain Juli Inkster.
” Michelle called me at an early stage and said, you know, if you have not selected your assistants, can you please consider me,” Hurst stated Wednesday. “… I understand what shes like. I know shes very patriotic– loves the red, blue and white simply like I do– and her intensity therein. All the players like her. They respect her, and thats what I need.”
Wie West said she will rely greatly on the lessons found out from Hursts leadership and friendship, in addition to her own experience teeing it up for Team USA.
” I simply actually want to help rookies and players to feel comfy,” stated Wie West, who gave birth to her child Makenna on June 19. “I wish to be that role that Pat was to me of making players feel comfy. I think comfortable players and unwinded gamers make great golf and produce a fun time, whichs what were here for– good culture and the fire to win.”
Charlotte GibsonESPN
Wie West, suffering from a remaining wrist injury following surgical treatment in 2018, didnt play in the Solheim Cup last year for the very first time because 2009, when she went 3-0-1 after becoming just the second LPGA Tour rookie in history to use Team USA. She has not competed on the LPGA Tour since missing out on the cut at the 2019 KPMG Womens PGA.
When she knew her 2019 season had come to an end, Wie West reached out to Inkster about a possible role as an assistant captain at Gleneagles, but Inkster had actually currently filled those functions. Instead of completing at Gleneagles, Wie West joined Golf Channels studio team as an analyst during the Solheim Cup.
When it comes to the possibility of Wie West returning to golf and possibly being a playing assistant captain, she said she is taking it day by day and not ruling anything out. Ultimately, she said that decision would depend on Hurst.
The LPGA resumes its 2020 season next week at Inverness Club.
, I instantly texted Pat, being like, If you havent selected your assistant captains yet, I simply would like to be even considered,” Wie West said during a Zoom call Wednesday. “I simply feel very honored, when I really got that phone call when she picked me as assistant captain.” I simply actually desire to help rookies and gamers to feel comfy,” stated Wie West, who offered birth to her child Makenna on June 19. “I desire to be that function that Pat was to me of making players feel comfy. I think comfy players and unwinded gamers make good golf and make for a fun time, and thats what were here for– excellent culture and the fire to win.”
