Michelle Wie West was the original prodigy of women’s golf—a record-breaking star from age 10, destined to redefine the LPGA Tour. From becoming the youngest qualifier for a USGA amateur championship to competing against seasoned pros by 12, Wie was hailed as the “next Tiger Woods.” But somewhere along the journey, the enormous weight of expectation and a grueling training routine changed the course of her career.
It all started to unravel in 2007. At just 19, Wie entered the U.S. Women’s Open with a wrist injury, but pushed through—only to withdraw after a difficult 11-over-par first round. That moment marked a turning point. What followed was a series of injuries, missed cuts, and struggles to reclaim the promise that once seemed so certain.
Reflecting on the pressures and decisions that defined her career, Wie recently opened up on the On the Road with Iona podcast about her relentless training routine that prioritized quantity over quality, inspired by the legendary intensity of Tiger Woods. Wie admitted she bought into the old-school belief of hitting balls “until your hands bleed,” a mindset she now regrets. “Back in the day,” she shared, “before you had all the science and technology, it was quantity over quality.”
Wie described the intense environment, saying, “You hear the Tiger Woods mentality of running on a treadmill with a weighted vest and the stories of bleeding hands.” For Wie, Woods’ approach became a template—one that eventually led her body to its breaking point. “I wish I hadn’t done that,” she said, recognizing that this relentless regimen may have shortened her career.
Now, Wie acknowledges the benefits of modern sports science and laments not having had those resources. “I think I would have had a longer playing career if I had focused on maintaining a healthier body,” she admitted, reflecting on the rigorous training that ultimately did more harm than good.
Today’s players benefit from advanced training techniques and personalized routines, but Wie had to learn the hard way—a prodigy who rose to incredible heights and fell just as spectacularly. Reflecting on her past with a sense of what might have been, Michelle Wie West’s story remains a cautionary tale of how high expectations and an unforgiving regimen can derail even the most promising careers.
