Michelle Wie wins first major, Lucy Li wins hearts everywhere

At the just concluded Women’s U.S. Open, one golfer’s long journey reached it’s highest point, while another’s was just getting underway.

Yesterday, Michelle Wie claimed her first major after following a gutsy 25-foot birdie on Pinehurst’s 17th hole, with par on the 18th. For Wie — one of golf’s biggest names since playing in the final group at a major when she was only 13-years-old — the birdie at 17 was perhaps the best putt of her career. She planned to drive home after the tournament with her new-found friend riding shotgun.

All buckled in!!!!! #safetyfirst @Kia pic.twitter.com/H8rLRaKJ5H

— Michelle Wie (@themichellewie) June 22, 2014

Four days earlier, on Thursday, eleven-year-old golfer Lucy Li charmed U.S. Open viewers with her colorful flag-themed attire and infectious smile. The youngest ever qualifier for the U.S. Open ultimately didn’t make the cut to play over the weekend at Pinehurst, but appeared more than content to enjoy her ice cream after the first round.