Michelle Wie Interview

The reigning US Women’s Open champion talks to CNN’s Leading Women about her first Major win, her near-term goals and how she handles criticism

On Managing Her Image Through Social Media

I think social media is such a great way for fans to get to know me, directly through me. I feel like most of the time people get to know me through other people, through reporters, through the camera lens and this is when I'm posting everything myself. They get to see me through me, it's just fun to share that … I think I try not to share too much but try not to share too little. I think there is a very fine line.

On Handling Criticism

My parents have always taught me to not read anything, to not listen to anyone. The people’s opinions who matter most to me are my family, my friends, and you know people are entitled to have their own opinions, I have opinions of other people, and people are allowed to have opinions of me. Sometimes it is a little bit unfair, but at the same time that's their opinion. My family and friends have always been supportive of me, and when I do something wrong, I make a mistake, I learn from it. And when they're disappointed in me that's when I know I've really made a mistake. I really listen to them and see what they have to say.

On Her Advice to Female Athletes

I think to just give it your all and just to have fun. I think a lot of times people lose the fun part of it. I think it's very easy to do. I think people forget it's a game. And I would say just to work hard, have a passion for it, want to succeed but at the same time have fun with it. You know, it's a game.”

On the Future of the LPGA Tour

I think the game is just going to get bigger and bigger. I think our Tour is so strong, and with all the young guns, the different personalities, the different ethnicities. I mean we have a global Tour. We have so many people of different nationalities and we have a great unified goal. We are very strong together.

On Her Near-Term Goal

I think my near-term goal is definitely, I want to be world number one, I just want to be the best golfer that I can be. I just want to see how hard I can push myself and how good I can get. I think that's definitely my near-term goal.

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Written by The Editors

Photography by AFP

Click here to see the published article.

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