Retired LPGA star Michelle Wie West has partnered with Ford to launch “Power Her Drive”, a mentorship platform supporting LPGA rookies with business and personal development. The program provides six LPGA Tour rookies in 2026 with guidance on personal brand building, financial advice, and leadership development to help them navigate the professional world both on and off the course.
West’s initiative addresses a challenge she knows well from her own career. She began playing LPGA Tour tournaments at just 12 years old, navigating the complexities of professional golf at an incredibly young age without the kind of structured support system this program now offers.
The partnership between West and Ford as her new role as global ambassador reflects a growing recognition of the unique challenges facing athletes in individual sports. The program aims to fill gaps that young professional golfers often face when managing the business side of their careers while competing at the highest level.
Overview of the Power Her Drive Mentorship Program
The initiative brings together Ford’s business expertise and Michelle Wie West’s professional golf experience to create comprehensive support for six LPGA Tour rookies navigating their first season on tour. The program debuts at the Ford Championship later this month in Phoenix.
Origin and Mission of the Program
Power Her Drive emerged from conversations between Ford and the LPGA Tour about creating something beyond traditional tournament sponsorship. The mentorship platform addresses a gap that many young golfers face when entering professional competition.
Unlike team sports where athletes have built-in support systems, golf remains an individual pursuit. Wie West experienced this firsthand when she started playing LPGA Tour tournaments at age 12. She described those early years as “the blind leading the blind” despite having her parents’ support, as they hadn’t anticipated her rapid success.
The program focuses on aspects of professional life that extend beyond performance on the course. Rookies receive guidance on personal brand building, financial planning, and leadership development. The mission centers on helping young golfers manage the layers beneath what appears on the leaderboard.
Ford and Michelle Wie West’s Partnership
Ford became the official vehicle partner of the LPGA Tour and simultaneously announced Wie West as a global ambassador. The 2014 U.S. Women’s Open champion called the partnership “probably the easiest yes I’ve had when it comes in terms of sponsorship.”
Lisa Materazzo, Ford’s global chief marketing officer, explained the company wanted more than logo placement. Ford identified an unmet need among LPGA athletes and saw an opportunity to authentically support their development. The 122-year-old company plans to share its business expertise with rookies.
“We can help those young golfers build their brands,” Materazzo noted. The partnership reflects Ford’s commitment to women’s sports during a period of unprecedented growth in the sector.
The Role of the Ford Championship
The Power Her Drive program debuts at the Ford Championship beginning March 26 in Phoenix, Arizona. The tournament serves as the launching point for the mentorship platform’s first year of operation.
The timing allows the Class of 2026 rookies to access program resources early in the season. This gives them support as they work to establish themselves on tour while managing off-course responsibilities.
Class of 2026: Meet the LPGA Rookies
Six rookies comprise the inaugural group:
- Camille Boyd
- Briana Chacon
- Hailee Cooper
- Laney Frye
- Melanie Green
- Yana Wilson
These athletes face the challenge of proving themselves as competitors while building sustainable careers. The program provides them with mentorship from Wie West and access to Ford’s business resources. They’ll learn to lead their own teams, including caddies and trainers, while developing their personal brands.
Wie West emphasized the importance of community in an individual sport. “You have to lean into your support group,” she tells junior golfers regularly. The Class of 2026 will have that support structure through the mentorship platform as they navigate their rookie seasons.
Key Program Benefits and Impact on LPGA Rookies
The Power Her Drive mentorship platform addresses critical gaps in support for young golfers transitioning to professional careers, offering comprehensive guidance on personal brand building, financial planning, and leadership skills that extend far beyond traditional on-course coaching.
Personal Brand Building Opportunities
The six LPGA rookies in the inaugural Class of 2026—Camille Boyd, Briana Chacon, Hailee Cooper, Laney Frye, Melanie Green, and Yana Wilson—will receive dedicated support in developing their personal brand as professional athletes. Unlike team sports where organizations often provide marketing support, golfers in this elite individual sport typically navigate brand sponsorships on their own.
The program recognizes that building a strong personal brand early in a career can open doors to sponsorship opportunities and long-term business relationships. Young golfers need to understand how to present themselves to potential partners while maintaining authenticity. Michelle Wie West’s own experience turning professional as a teenager informs this aspect of the mentorship platform, as she learned these lessons while competing at the highest level.
Leadership Development for Young Golfers
Ford’s partnership with Wie West emphasizes leadership development as a core component of the program. The mentorship platform helps rookies develop skills that extend beyond their golf careers into their post-retirement career paths.
Leadership training for individual sport athletes differs from team sport contexts. These young golfers must learn to manage their own schedules, build support teams, and make strategic decisions independently. The program provides frameworks for developing these capabilities during their first year on tour.
Wie West’s commitment to leadership development stems from her role hosting the Mizuho Americas Open, where she has integrated juniors into the tournament environment to foster organic mentorship relationships.
Financial Guidance and Post-Retirement Planning
The program delivers financial advice tailored to the unique challenges professional golfers face. Rookies earn unpredictable income based on tournament performance, making financial planning essential from day one.
Financial guidance covers:
- Tournament earnings management across variable income streams
- Expense tracking for travel, coaching, and equipment costs
- Long-term savings strategies for career sustainability
- Investment education for building wealth beyond prize money
This support helps young golfers avoid common financial pitfalls that can derail promising careers. Understanding how to manage money effectively allows athletes to focus on their performance rather than financial stress.
How the Mentorship Platform Supports Women’s Sports
Lisa Materazzo, Ford’s global chief marketing officer, explained that the company sought to go beyond traditional tournament sponsorships to create “deeper connection with the athletes.” This approach demonstrates a commitment to supporting women’s sports through authentic investment in athlete development.
The launch of Power Her Drive represents a shift in how corporate partners can engage with women’s sports. Rather than limiting support to event sponsorships, Ford addresses the specific developmental needs these athletes face. The program officially launches at the Ford Championship in Phoenix on March 26, 2026.
Wie West called partnering with Ford “the easiest yes I’ve had when it comes in terms of sponsorship” because it aligned with her passion for mentorship. Her focus on supporting the next generation reflects broader momentum in women’s sports toward sustainable career development models.
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