Michelle Wie West and Jonnie West are expecting their second child soon. The former LPGA Pro, who retired from golf last year, appeared on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on May 13, a day after Mother’s Day. And she did have a special announcement to make after the drumroll faded out.
Fallon asked if she had anything special to announce. “Yeah, We’ve baby No. 2 coming,” the 34-year-old said with loud cheers from the audience. West revealed they had decided to have IVF for their second child. The couple welcomed their daughter, Makenna, three years ago. And having a daughter was central to West’s early exit from golf.
The 34-year-old is super stoked for her second child, which is a boy, she revealed on the show. Michelle Wie West also said her daughter, Makenna, is more excited than anyone else. The three-year-old has spilled the beans in her close circles, which include her teachers and friends.
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The former LPGA Tour pro has fielded calls from her daughter’s school as well. But what exactly did Makenna say, and why were the teachers a little confused? “My parents are going to LA to get the baby,” West added with a burst of hearty laughter. That’s her vision of an IVF baby. Makenna, as she revealed earlier, is obsessed with trolls.
.@MichelleWieWest is expecting a baby boy! #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/vYoP931dud
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) May 14, 2024
Makenna also takes golf lessons with her friends, West told Fallon. The five-time LPGA Tour winner, in fact, posted a clip of her daughter on the course. The three-year-old has previously accompanied her mother, most notably at her last professional tournament, the 2023 US Women’s Open. After the major West retired, had it not been for her daughter, that move might have in fact come earlier!
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How motherhood changed the career trajectory of Michelle Wie West
A few years ago, West felt her body couldn’t take the workload of professional golf anymore. The five-time Solheim Cupper wanted to hang her clubs. She had been playing for a decade, starting at the young age of 19. Then she found out she was pregnant. Instead of quitting, Michelle Wie West wanted to show her daughter what golf meant to her, and vice versa.
Yes, @MichelleWieWest is the 2014 #USWomensOpen champion but more importantly, she is MOM 🥰 to Makenna!#USWomensOpen virtual first tee introductions are Powered by @Cisco @Webex. pic.twitter.com/154eWOHoOt
— U.S. Women's Open (@uswomensopen) June 2, 2021
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“I would’ve probably retired before [I had] her. But she actually extended my career. I really wanted to come back and play with her. So I’m really glad I got that experience,” Golf.com quoted the five-time LPGA Tour winner as saying. Michelle Wie West didn’t regret her eventual retirement, though. Rather, spending time with her toddler has taken precedence, and she is glad that she has the time for Makenna now.