Michelle Wie’s breakthrough win in Mexico has lifted LPGA Tour after being in a season of economic turmoil.

 

Wie, who was born in Hawaii, won at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico on Sunday, just 18 days after the Tour appointed a new Commissioner to restore relationships with sponsors and players.

 

Michael Whan succeeded Carolyn Bivens on October 28. Carolyn had resigned in July after many LPGA players expressed concerns about the tour in the times of economic slowdown.

 

Wie is one of the biggest trump cards in the game and is a gifted player who is liked by television and sponsors.

 

The Korean-American turned professional at 15 under a stack of anticipation after signing endorsement contracts considered to be worth $10 million a year.

 

In 2005, she joined the ranks as the game’s richest female and one of the highest paid athletes in women's sport. Annika Sorenstam from Sweden, the World No. 1 at the time, earned about $6 million a year in endorsements.

 

It took another four years before Wie tasted victory. During this period, she braved injuries, putting criticism from her peers for her intermittent attempts at making it big in the men's PGA Tour.

 

She is considered to be Golf's most celebrated teenager since Tiger Woods. Because of Wie's much-awaited victory, the LPGA Tour has one reason to smile about at present.