‘ Home’ game puts Wie in good frame of mind
Stanford grad is coming off her best finish of the season
DALY CITY — Michelle Wie is feeling right at home for the second straight week as she prepares for the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic at Lake Merced Golf Club.
Wie, who graduated from Stanford three years ago, will enter this week’s tournament fresh off the best performance of her season, tying for 11th in the Lotte Championship in her
SWINGING SKIRTS CLASSIC
WHEN: Thursday- Sunday. WHERE: Lake Merced Golf Club, Daly City TV: Golf Channel ( ThursdaySunday, 3- 6 p. m.). native Hawaii.
“This is definitely something I look forward to all year,” Wie said of playing in the Bay Area. “Most all of my friends from Stanford are still in the Bay, so it’s been amazing to see them.”
Wie, 25, visited Stanford briefly this week, as she did last year after winning the Hawaii event. She felt a little misplaced on The Farm this time.
“The kids there now kind of look at me strange,” said Wie, who holds a degree in communications. “I have this weird look in my eyes. Every time someone rides a bike by, I’m like, ‘ Hi.’ I’m like this old person on campus now, just creeping out. But it’s amazing.”
A teen sensation, Wie’s up- and- down pro career reached its zenith when she won the 2014 U. S. Women’s Open — her first major title. After a strong 2014 season, she is trying to recapture that form. She’s ninth in the world rankings.
“Every week this year I feel like it’s been getting better,” she said.
When the LPGA returned to the Bay Area last year after a four- year absence, teenager Lydia Ko of New Zealand won the initial Swinging Skirts championship by a shot over Stacy Lewis by making a birdie on the 18th hole in the final round.
The second edition of the tournament, which tees off Thursday, boasts Ko, who turns 18 on Saturday and is the top- ranked player in the world.
The field also features 19 of the top 20 players in the world rankings. The event carries extra meaning to competitors such as Bay Area natives Paula Creamer, Christina Kim and World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Juli Inkster.
In her home away from home, Wie seems to enjoy all aspects of the tourney — the unique artwork by the tee boxes and competing on an old- school course.
“It feels like home for me,” she said. “It’s great. I’m excited to see all the fans out this week. The sponsors have done a great job of branding the event, the purple and pink. All the artwork on the golf course is pretty fantastic.”
Wie believes her length off the tee will help her this week in cold conditions.
Popular on tour among players and fans, Wie agreed that she’s seen a lot during her unique career.
“Yeah, a lot did happen,” she said. “A lot of ups and downs. I think if I had to describe it, it definitely wasn’t boring. And I have a lot to come.”
Wie described graduating from Stanford as the “proudest moment” of her life.
“Coming back here, I just remind myself of that achievement,” she said.
Tour officials can only hope this week’s event approaches the drama of last Saturday’s Hawaii finish. Sei Young Kim holed out her second shot, an 8- iron from 154 yards, to beat Inbee Park on the first playoff hole.