I was delighted last weekend to see Hannah Green, a 22-year old from Perth, become the third Australian woman, after Jan Stephenson and Karrie Webb, to win a major. She got up and down from a bunker at the last at Hazeltine to squeeze home by one shot, ahead of the multi-talented Sung Hyun Park, and lift the trophy at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Hannah Green, the pride of Australia, and her country’s latest major winner. [Thanks to the LPGA for the picture.]
On her 16th birthday she turned professional, by which time she had already played in 22 women’s professional events, gathering up a handful of top ten finishes in majors. She signed sponsorship deals with Nike and Sony, reportedly worth in excess of $10 million per year. What could possibly go wrong?
For the next six and a half years Michelle was a part-time professional golfer, part-time student. The minimum age requirement for LPGA membership at that time was 18 and she and her family decided against petitioning for a special exemption, so for her first three years as a pro golfer she was not a member of any tour, simply playing on invitations and sponsor’s exemptions. At the end of 2008 Michelle went to the LPGA qualifying school and won her playing rights for the 2009 season. She was packing a lot into her life as she was also playing some events on the PGA Tour, again by invitation, and there was also the little matter of enrolling at Stanford University.Against this backdrop was an almost endless stream of criticism of Michelle and, in particular, her parents. They were too controlling; they were making these ridiculous decisions allowing and encouraging her to play in men’s events and suffer repeated, high-profile failures; they interfered with her coaches; they made it impossible for any professional caddy to do his job properly. No one had been down this particular road at such a young age and every man, woman and dog had an opinion and didn’t hesitate to offer their advice. The criticisms were endless and as a young player she was repeatedly questioned and asked to validate any and every decision. She handled it all with class, dignity and a maturity beyond her years.

The tools of the trade, this time in a US Solheim Cup team bag. Michelle, a talented designer and artist has designed many of her own golf bags down the years. [Tristan Jones, LET.]
Michelle will be 30 in October. She is a mere five months younger than Rory McIlroy, another child prodigy who also grew up in a bit of a goldfish bowl. They are both famous, both have tasted major victory, both have made millions, never needing to work again, and they both love the game of golf. Yet how different their future landscapes look. Was she badly advised or is it largely the luck of the draw as to what life hands you? Michelle’s attitude and work ethic have been faultless and she has proved an inspiration to many. If this does, indeed, signal the end of her career, it will be devastating for her because golf is what she loves passionately. She will be fine, of course. She is talented, clever, resourceful, wealthy……and engaged. And all too accustomed to overcoming setbacks.
It is a lesson to us all, however, to seize the day and make the most of every opportunity we have. You never know what’s round the corner.
So nice to read a positive article about Wie. Prodigies furrow new ground as they move through life. Her achievements at such a young age are awe inspiring and ought to be celebrated. Her work in golf is probably done. She’s quite a talented artist too.
Yes, Lucy – just like someone else we know!