Michelle Wie West is playing for her family at the U.S. Women's Open - ESPN

MICHELLE WIE WEST stood in her kitchen on a Wednesday night in mid-May. After a strenuous day of school drop-offs, workouts, golf practice, after-school activities and everything in between, the 36-year-old mother and wife was ready to cook a quick dinner and kick her feet up for a few minutes.

Then her phone pinged. A text came in from one of her sponsors: «I'm rewatching your Pinehurst round on the Golf Channel. You should turn it on.» Wie West laughed at the message. She said to herself, «It's whatever.» She also said to herself, «I've actually never watched that final round.»

Standing in the living room, Wie West's husband, Jonnie West, didn't hesitate. Before Wie West could even turn on the TV, her husband turned on the Golf Channel to watch his wife's performance. Their toddler, Jagger, stood in front of the television in amazement. «That's Mommy,» Jonnie said to Jagger. «She's on TV playing golf.»

The year was 2014, and a then-24-year-old Wie West was the biggest star in women's golf. It was the final round of the U.S. Women's Open at Pinehurst No. 2. And three holes stood between Wie West and her first major victory.

With a three-shot lead on the 16th hole, Wie appeared to unravel until a clutch 5-foot putt for double bogey kept her in the fight. Sporting her signature large-brimmed Nike visor and brightly colored collared shirt and shorts ensemble, the young golf phenom then faced a 25-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole. Flipping through her yardage book, Wie West crouched down and stared down her line.

Wie West positioned herself in her legendary tabletop putting stance before taking two practice strokes. Stepping behind the ball, she took a deep breath. She was ready. In one quick motion, Wie West guided her