When Michelle Wie West stepped into men’s tournaments as a teenager, Jack Nicklaus saw a future star.

While the golf world was busy debating the decision, the 18-time major champion had already made up his mind. Speaking to Golf Digest in 2007, Nicklaus didn’t just defend her presence; he explained why it made sense.

“Michelle is a terrific talent. I’ve never seen a female golfer with her physical skills who can create so much power under control and with ease,” Nicklaus said.

Nicklaus pointed out the rare combination of strength and technique that made Wie stand out even as a teenager. At the time, her appearances in PGA Tour events were widely debated. Nicklaus, however, saw the bigger picture.

“She’s selling tickets, she’s creating interest. If sponsors have only so many exemptions, they have a right to give her one, and she has the right to accept.”

Still, his support came with realism. “On an overall skill level, I don’t think Michelle is quite there yet… But she’s never going to get there unless she’s given the opportunity and she tries.”

The equilibrium between faith and wariness characterized his position. Nicklaus went as far as to say that enthusiasm would be gone one day if performances didn't appear.

“But is it going to get stale if she isn’t competitive? Yes. And it’s approaching that,” he said.

Eventually, Wie West made a name for herself, highlighted by her victory at the 2014 U.S. Women's Open. That was the sort of breakthrough Nicklaus appeared to foresee a few years earlier when she was still an up-and-coming star.

Even now, she remains closely connected to the game. Wie West is set to return to competition through WTGL. 

What Is WTGL?

WTGL is a newly launched team-based indoor golf league for women that revolves around the same tech-driven format that tops TGL.

Rather than conventional multi-day competitions, games will be held at the SoFi Center.

The players will take full shots into a massive simulator and then complete the holes on an actual short-game surface.

The structure is set up for quicker, direct matches between opponents rather than lengthy stroke play rounds.

A player such as Michelle Wie West will find in WTGL an opportunity to compete once more without going back to the full LPGA schedule. Not only that, but it is bringing a more arena-style version of women's golf.

Read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Dolly Bhamrick

Edited by

Kalp Thaker