Female sportspersons may call it a day sooner than expected. The reasons could vary from change of career to health issues to getting married and starting a family. Similarly, LPGA great Michelle Wie West had her reasons for retiring at the relatively early age of 33. The veteran of the ladies’ circuit had cited multiple injuries as the reason for her retirement.
However, the real reason behind Michelle Wie West’s decision to hang up her clubs was something else entirely. In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, Michelle Wie West opened up about her decision to retire and the real reason behind it.
“I was really focused on the 2020 season and I wanted to come back and compete and be competitive and win again,” Michelle Wie West said. “But I think it was just a realization that I had reached a point in my career where I wanted to do something else.”
Michelle Wie West had a decorated career on the LPGA Tour. She was the youngest player to qualify for a USGA amateur championship, the youngest to make a cut in a LPGA tournament, and the youngest winner of a professional golf tournament. In her career, she won five LPGA Tour events and one major championship, the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open.
Despite her success on the course, Michelle Wie West felt that it was time to move on to new challenges. She revealed that the reason she retired was to focus on other aspects of her life.
“I wanted to do something else,” she said. “I wanted to focus on my family and my businesses and just explore other opportunities. I wanted to do something that was a little bit different and I just felt like I had reached a point in my career where I wanted to do something else.”
It was a difficult decision for Michelle Wie West to make, but ultimately she felt that it was the right move for her. She revealed that she was inspired by the example of other female athletes who had made similar decisions to retire and pursue something else.
“I was really inspired by the example of other female athletes who had made a similar decision and chosen to do something else and found success,” she said. “I wanted to do something that was a little bit different and I wanted to do something that was a little bit more meaningful for me and something that I could be passionate about.”
Michelle Wie West is now focusing on her family and her businesses. She is also exploring other opportunities and looking forward to the future. She hopes to inspire other female athletes to follow her example and to make the most of their careers.
“I want to be an example for other female athletes,” she said. “I want to show them that it’s okay to take a break and to explore other avenues and to find something that you’re passionate about. I want to show them that there’s life after sports and that you can still be successful and happy doing something else.”
Michelle Wie West’s decision to retire at the age of 33 was a difficult one, but it was ultimately the right move for her. She is now focusing on her family and businesses and exploring other opportunities. She hopes to inspire other female athletes to follow her example and to make the most of their careers.
