Michelle Wie's follow-up to a promising 2014 season has not fulfilled any promises. There may be a reason for it.
The Golf Channel is reporting that Wie has undergone a swing change to help take pressure of an "ailing left hip" as she competes in the KMPG Women's PGA Championship.
"Wie, 25, has been playing this week with a significantly narrowed stance designed to relieve the strain she puts on her left hip, which is riddled with bursitis," the Golf Channel stated. "It's causing pain through her entire left leg. She has support tape on her left thigh and behind her left knee and is also wearing an ankle brace. She said the new swing isn't a temporary fix. It's a long-term change she and coach David Leadbetter have been working on to reduce some of the torque that puts so much strain on her body."
In 12 events in 2015, Wie has one top-20 finish, a tie for 11th at the LOTTE Championship. She has missed two cuts and withdrew from another event. Her withdrawal and one of the cuts came in her previous two tournaments in May.
Wie had been the defending champion at the LOTTE Championship, turning in a 14-under 274 in 2014. She shot a 3-under 285 this past April.
She is currently ranked 13th in the world after reaching a high of No. 5 in 2014.
Last year, she had 13 top-10 finishes in 23 events, including two wins. She captured her first major tournament, the U.S. Women's Open with a 2-under 268. She won nearly $2 million in 2014 but has just $109, 075 in earnings this year.
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