The long-lost Michelle Wie Sports Illustrated cover | Pinehurst Resort

If you were paying any attention to Game 7 of the World Series on Wednesday night, you may have come across the story about Sports Illustrated’s cover predicting the eventual World Champion Houston Astros of 2017. The only catch was that, despite spitting in the face of the long history of the SI Cover Jinx, that Astros cover was actually from 2014.

In fact, it was the June 30, 2014 issue of SI. And, as writer Alan Shipnuck now explains three years later, HE was supposed to have been the author of the cover story, and that cover story was SUPPOSED to be about Michelle Wie’s fulfilled promise in winning the U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst.

Alas, a late editorial decision went against Shipnuck, who harbors absolutely no hard feelings (yeah, right). But now, here it is: the long lost Michelle Wie SI Cover from Pinehurst:

Alas, a late editorial decision went against Shipnuck, who harbors absolutely no hard feelings (yeah, right). But now, here it is: the long lost Michelle Wie SI Cover from Pinehurst:

Always good to see a fist-pump after a big putt at Pinehurst. The cover shot – well, would-be cover shot – is from Wie’s tournament-slamming 25-foot birdie down the hill on the 17th green.