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In collective athletic endeavors, competitors typically benefit from an inherent network of assistance, owing to teammates navigating comparable paths alongside them.
However, in golf, it’s primarily the individual, the ball, and the course – regardless of the off-stage crew one might have. For top-tier players, such as Michelle Wie West, who has been participating in LPGA Tour events since the tender age of twelve, traversing the professional sphere can be quite challenging in its initial stages.
With this objective, West collaborated with Ford to unveil “Power Her Drive,” a novel mentorship initiative crafted to aid LPGA newcomers both within the game and outside of it. This program is founded upon Wie West’s personal journey as an adolescent striving diligently to make an impact on the course, all while managing the myriad other aspects inherent to being an expert sportsperson.
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CBS Sports correspondent Amanda Balionis, erstwhile LPGA competitor Michelle Wie West and Golf Channel correspondent Kira Dixon share a laugh during the Golden Bear Pro-Am ahead of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on May 28, 2025, in Dublin, Ohio. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images / Getty Images)
“This is arguably the most straightforward agreement I’ve encountered regarding endorsement opportunities,” Wie West remarked in a recent discussion with FOX Business prior to “Power Her Drive” launching at the Ford Championship, scheduled to commence in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 26. She continued, “This profoundly resonates with my ardor. Now that I’m no longer actively competing and am in my post-retirement career, organizing my tournament, involving younger players, and providing guidance have all been significant components. I believe what Ford is undertaking is remarkable. From our initial conversations, it was highly evident that it extended beyond mere branding – it was fundamentally about enabling.”
“Golf is a solitary pursuit, and this is what I consistently advise the young athletes: you must lean into collective engagement. You must depend on your network of assistance.”
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Wie West mentioned she was fortunate to possess her parents as a robust backing structure, but since they hadn’t anticipated their daughter would be accomplished to such an extent in her formative years, the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open victor conceded, “It was the blind leading the blind a lot of the times.”
Consequently, with women’s sports experiencing unparalleled expansion overall, Wie West’s fervor was an endeavor Ford promptly desired to assist with within their collaboration.
LPGA golfer Michelle Wie West executes her stroke from the 14th tee box during the Golden Bear Pro-Am at Muirfield Village Golf Club on May 28, 2025, in Dublin, Ohio. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images / Getty Images)
“I believe this all originated from the concept that we were highly dedicated to being designated as the exclusive automotive sponsor for the LPGA Tour. But subsequently, we began investigating it more profoundly. How might we achieve this in a truly distinctive manner?” Lisa Materazzo, Ford’s worldwide head of marketing, conveyed to FOX Business.
Materazzo elaborated, “We don’t merely wish to fund the tournament. It is critically significant, so I certainly do not intend to diminish its importance whatsoever. However, we identified an unfulfilled requirement when we commenced discussions with the LPGA, alongside a chance for more profound engagement with the athletes. This involves genuinely fostering their growth, and this, to us, seemed entirely appropriate for Ford, serving to showcase our distinctive dedication to the players and the LPGA, and on a wider scale, to this sport and women’s sports overall.”
“Power Her Drive” will commence with a Class of 2026, showcasing a promising cohort of LPGA Tour newcomers: Camille Boyd, Briana Chacon, Hailee Cooper, Laney Frye, Melanie Green and Yana Wilson.
As these newcomers aim to establish themselves firmly as victors, or perhaps luminaries, on the LPGA Tour, “Power Her Drive” intends to assist them in managing elements beyond the playing field, encompassing endorsement deals, fiscal guidance, and among other things.
Michelle Wie executes a drive from the tee during the opening round of the Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Jan. 25, 2018, in Paradise Island, Bahamas. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images / Getty Images)
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“The result displayed on the scoreboard is what is visible, but there are numerous underlying complexities,” Wie West further stated. “I hope that with our collaboration, individuals will witness the unveiling of the intricate details and perceive the assistance these athletes receive. We are going to address and discuss individual brand development, alongside managerial competencies. Even though it is a top-tier solitary athletic pursuit, one remains the head of their personal squad – comprising your caddy, your trainer, and so forth. I believe all of this will be immensely enjoyable to undertake with the newcomers.”
Materazzo further remarked: “We are a sizeable enterprise – an extensive, worldwide label with 122 years of history. We are proficient in these operations; we know how to function within a commercial setting. Therefore, we can assist these nascent golfers in developing their personal identities… If we can render additional facets of this endeavor a less burdensome task, that, conceptually, makes us gratified and exceedingly modest to contribute to their progression.”
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