Golf News: - Posted 18th December 1997

Mercury to sponsor LPGA series

New York - The LPGA and Mercury, a division of the Ford Motor Company, has announced the creation of the 1998 Mercury LPGA Series, which will provide live television coverage of seven LPGA tournaments during the 1998 season on ESPN and ESPN2. The television series is a first for women's golf and an expansion of Mercury's partnership with the LPGA, which includes Mercury's designation as the official car of the LPGA.

"This is an important step in television coverage for the LPGA," said Jim Ritts, commissioner of the LPGA. "The Mercury Series will make women's golf available to a larger audience than ever before. This series is a natural extension of Mercury's commitment to golf."

Mercury began its partnership with the LPGA in December 1996 when it became the official vehicle of the LPGA and subsequently signed top-money winner Annika Sörenstam as the Mercury spokeswoman.