Wie looks to shrug o he lth issues in title defence

Michelle Wie delivered on more than a decade of lofty expectations last year when she broke through to win her first Major championship at the US Women’s Open at Pinehurst.

But after a subsequent year of struggles with illness, injury and swing changes, the 25-year-old from Hawaii is hoping to climb the mountain again as she defends her title at Lancaster Country Club in the year’s third Major.

“It’s definitely been a tough year with my game,” said Wie.

“It’s definitely not been as good as I want to be. I’ve been struggling with a couple of injuries and illnesses. I’m taking it day-by-day. Every day feels better than the day before.”

Wie, with her fluid, powerful swing, faces a difficult task at the long, hilly, rough-lined Lancaster course with its steeply sloping greens.

The 156-player field includes such formidable contenders as world number one Park In-bee, winner of five of the last 12 majors, 19-year-old number two Lydia Ko of New Zealand looking for her maiden Major, and long-hitting Britanny Lincicome, winner of 2015’s opening major, the ANA Inspiration.

Now that Wie has finally experienced the thrill of winning a Major, the former prodigy is determined to overcome her recent setbacks.

A case of strep throat gave her a strength-sapping fever at an early-season event and she then struggled through an upper-respiratory infection.

She wears a brace to compensate for an ankle injury and is lately coping with a case of bursitis in her hip that caused her recently to withdraw from tournaments.

As a concession to her injuries, she has narrowed her stance and adjusted her swing to reduce the stress on her body.

“I’m staying positive and just trying to improve a little bit here and there every day,” she said. — Reuters