If this story were a romance, it would be longer than Gone With the Wind. If it were a fairy tale, the prince would grow old tracking down the owner of the glass slipper. If it were a life lesson in patience and perseverance, it would be … perfect.

I don’t cry that often, but today I did. After I had been glued to the TV screen for three days, Sunday afternoon brought an emotional reward. When Michelle Wie tapped in a birdie putt on the last hole of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Guadalajara to win her first LPGA tournament, the tears began. I let them flow.

Michelle is only 20, but this day has been anticipated for … forever.