June 26, 2007; Phoenix, Ariz.: Lorena Ochoa, the world’s number one ranked female golfer who has played PING golf equipment since she was 15 years old, has signed an endorsement agreement with the equipment manufacturer, PING Chairman & CEO John Solheim announced today.
The multi-year agreement is effective beginning this week at the U.S. Women’s Open in Southern Pines, NC. Ochoa, who won her third event of the season at last weekend’s Wegmans LPGA, will carry a PING-branded bag and use a minimum of 11 PING clubs. The Guadalajara, Mexico native will tee off this week at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club with the same clubs she’s used in her three wins this season, including a PING Rapture Driver, PING S58 Irons, a PING Rapture 5-wood, a PING Rapture 21 degree Hybrid and PING Tour Wedges.
"The addition of Lorena to our staff brings tremendous excitement to our LPGA team and our brand throughout the world," said Solheim. "Her appeal reaches from her native Mexico, to her home tour in the United States and into key golf markets throughout Asia, Europe and South America. She’s been loyal to PING for 10 years and we’re excited to make her an official member of our team."
Since turning professional in 2002, the 25-year-old has compiled 12 LPGA wins with PING equipment in her bag. She played PING during her two years at the University of Arizona, where she twice earned NCAA Player of the Year honors while capturing 12 wins in 20 events.
"I’ve relied on PING equipment since I was 15," said Ochoa, who leads the 2007 LPGA money list on the strength of 11 top 10 finishes, including her three wins. "The engineering that goes into the equipment is superior to anything I’ve tried. The service provided out on tour and in Phoenix at the company’s headquarters is unbelievable. I’ve visited PING many times and have been very impressed by their passion for engineering and custom fitting. I’m excited to help PING grow its reputation as a leader in golf club technology."
Ochoa, who was honored as the Golf Writer’s Association of America (GWAA) Female Player of the Year in 2006, joins 14 other professionals representing PING on the LPGA Tour, including multiple winners Pat Hurst, Sherri Steinhauer, Stacey Prammanasudh, Carin Koch, Dorothy Delasin and Wendy Ward.
PING, a long-time supporter of women’s golf and the founding sponsor of The Solheim Cup, is one of the most played equipment brands on the LPGA Tour. Through the Wegmans LPGA, PING has had the most irons sets play in 2007, according to the Darrell Survey. PING Wedges have been number one at every LPGA tournament this year. The PING Rapture Driver has been used to win seven LPGA events since its introduction last fall, including three wins by Ochoa. Approximately 20 Rapture Drivers are in play every week on the LPGA Tour.
For additional information, contact Pete Samuels (602) 687-5487.
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PING, Rapture, S58 and The Solheim Cup are trademarks of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation.
Contact:
Peg Adams
PING
PO Box 82000 (85071-2000)
2201 W. Desert Cove
Phoenix, AZ 85029
phone: 602-687-5481
fax: 602-687-4490
email: pega@pinggolf.com
