20200724_Solheim-Cup-Michelle-Wie-West-will-be-assistant-captain-of-the-Team-USA_01

Captain Pat Hurst has chosen Wie West, 30, to work alongside previously announced Angela Stanford when Team USA takes on Team Europe at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, September 4-6, 2021.

“As soon as I heard the news [that Hurst had been chosen as captain in January], I immediately texted Pat, saying, 'If you haven't chosen your assistant captains yet, j 'would like to be taken into consideration »»Michelle Wie West said on a call Wednesday. “I felt very honored when I received this phone call to choose me as assistant captain. I was just ecstatic. "

Michelle Wie West, who won five LPGA Tour events in addition to her major title, represented Team USA at the Solheim Cups in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017. In both Team USA victories in 2015 and 2017 , Hurst was the leading pod for Wie West (Team USA uses a pod system designed to group four players into a mini-team within a 12-person team) under the leadership of team captain Juli Inkster.

"Michelle called me at the start and said, you know, if you didn't choose your assistants, can you please consider me", Hurst said Wednesday. “… I know how she is. I know she's very patriotic - she loves red, white, and blue just like me - and the intensity of that. All the players love it. They respect her, and that's what I need. "

Michelle Wie West said she would rely heavily on the lessons learned from Hurst's leadership and friendship, as well as her own experience in preparing for Team USA.

"I just want to help beginners and players to feel comfortable"said Michelle Wie West, who gave birth to daughter Makenna on June 19. “I want to play the role Pat played for me, which is to put the players at ease. I think relaxed female players have a great golf and have a great time, and that's what we're here for - for the right culture and fire to win. "

Michelle Wie West, who suffers from a persistent wrist injury from surgery in 2018, did not make the Solheim Cup last year for the first time since 2009, where she lost 3-0- 1 after becoming the second rookie to play for Team USA in LPGA Tour history. She hasn't competed on the LPGA Tour since missing the cut at the KPMG Women's PGA in 2019.

When she found out her 2019 season was over, Michelle Wie West reached out to Inkster for a possible role as assistant captain at Gleneagles, but Inkster had already filled those roles. Instead of competing at Gleneagles, Wie West joined the Golf Channel studio team as an analyst during the Solheim Cup.

As for the possibility at this time of Michelle Wie West returning to golf and potentially becoming an assistant captain, she had said she was taking it day to day and not ruling anything out. She had said that ultimately it would be Hurst's decision.

The LPGA resumes its 2020 season next week at the Inverness Club.

To know more : http://www.solheimcup.com/

To read our last article on the same subject :

Solheim Cup 2021: Pat Hurst named captain of the US team