JANGHEUNG, South Jeolla Province ― A village where some of the older generation of Michelle Wie's family live celebrated early Monday morning when the U.S. golfer born to Korean parents finally won a U.S. LPGA tour event, the Ochoa Invitational in Mexico.

Five households related to Wie's late grandfather Wie Sang-gyu live in Gidong-ri, Busan-myeon.

The members of Wie's extended family exchanged congratulations with each other after watching Wie's victory live on TV.

"We feel proud of her," said Choi Chang-yong, 73, who married Wie's grandfather's sister. "We know that Wie has been frustrated by a string of second-place finishes. We are glad she finally won."

Remembering Wie's late grandfather, Choi said that he would have been most pleased to see his granddaughter make such a great achievement.

The late Wie was an emeritus professor at Seoul National University as a pioneer in aviation and aeronautics. He died last year.

Wie's grandmother has been in the hospital.

Michelle had been picked as one of the few women golfers who could challenge the men in terms of power, but she failed to live up to her potential before the victory.

Wie's family members are planning to gather for a memorial service for her grandfather next month.