Wie back on winning path after tough year

Michelle Wie is trying to have fun — and stay healthy.

“My goal is to play the whole year and not to take an extended break during the season,” Wie said at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup. “That would be my whole goal. Keep my organs in my body.”

Organs?

Yep, last August — a week after helping the U.S. win the Solheim Cup — she had her appendix removed after being stricken before the final round of the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

She has recently fought arthritis in her hands, first with cortisone and now with collagen injections. She also is off to a fast start this season, winning the HSBC Women’s World Championship two weeks ago in Singapore for her fifth career victory and first since the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open.

“I’ve been working really hard on my putting,” Wie said. “During the off-season, I putt and chip for at least five hours a day.”

She will open play Thursday at Desert Ridge in a group with Bahamas winner Brittany Lincicome and Women’s Australian Open champion Jin Young Ko.

Four Canadians are in the tournament: Brooke Henderson, Alena Sharp, Maude-Aimee Leblanc and Anne-Catherine Tanguay.

Now 28, Wie has spent more than half of her life in the spotlight. That has made her health and game struggles more difficult — and made her stronger.

“I think the first down (moment in her career) really shocked me. I took it really hard and it wasn’t easy,” Wie said. “Then you see some people and their life seems so easy. Everyone has their own struggles. I think my struggles have just been very publicized and very public.

“I just draw strength from knowing that I’ve done it before. I have reached very low lows and I’ve pulled myself out of it. I definitely have a lot of confidence from that, just knowing from experience that I can.”