Michelle Wie West struggled with nerves during her LPGA Tour return on Thursday, shooting a 10-over-par 82 in the first round of the 2026 Mizuho Americas Open at Mountain Ridge Country Club.
The 36-year-old event host gave herself an exemption to compete in her first LPGA Tour tournament since the 2023 US Open at Pebble Beach. She went on to finish 118th out of 119 players after the opening round.
"I wasn't nervous going in, and I get to the first tee and I'm like holy s---," Wie West said afterwards. "Hole all of a sudden looks so small. Got to a two-footer and I'm like, 'I'm not going to hit the hole. No way.'"
Her husband Jonnie served as her caddie, working to keep her spirits up during a difficult round at Mountain Ridge Country Club in New Jersey.
"My husband was talking me off the ledge the whole round," Wie West said. "Golf can take you places, and I went places today."
The former US Women's Open champion admitted her mental state got "dark, very dark — it got very grim" as she navigated the pressure. She called dealing with anxiety on the course a skill that requires practice, rather than something players can simply overcome on the spot.
Despite the tough outing, Michelle Wie West viewed the experience as valuable preparation ahead of June's 2026 US Open.
"I think playing under nerves is a skill," she said. "So I take that feelings that I felt, the nervy feelings that I felt today, I definitely take that as practice."
Wie West praised the skill level of the LPGA regulars who compete week after week, calling them "dialed" and "amazing" for handling the conditions day after day.
