• by Tanya Gazdik , March 11, 2026

Ford Motor Co. is partnering with five-time LPGA Tour winner Michelle Wie West as a new global ambassador.

The automaker announced last month its new role as the exclusive vehicle partner of the LPGA Tour and the launch of ""Power Her Drive," a new mentorship platform designed to support LPGA rookies on and off the course.

The first "Power Her Drive"" event will take place March 24 in Phoenix ahead of the Ford Championship that weekend.

Ford has announced the first group that it aims to benefit. The Class of 2026 is a group of rookies: Camille Boyd, Hailey Cooper, Laney Frye and Melanie Green.

Built from West’s own experience navigating the LPGA Tour as a teenager, "Power Her Drive" aims to move beyond traditional sponsorship to address the realities young athletes face: leadership development, financial literacy, mental health, brand building and life on the road.

Women’s sports are seeing unprecedented growth, yet many athletes still lack the long-term structural support needed to meet rising expectations, says Ford CMO Lisa Materazzo in a statement. 

“We're not just sponsoring tournaments, we’re investing in the careers, capabilities and futures of the next generation of professional athletes who embody the same qualities that have defined Ford since day one,” Materazzo says. 

“When we first explored this partnership, we could have taken the easy route. A tournament here, some signage there, call it a day. But that's not the Ford way, and that's not what these athletes deserve.”

By investing in these athletes early in their careers — providing mentorship, amplifying their voices, and giving them platforms to grow — Ford aims to help level the playing field, she says. 

“We're demonstrating that Ford doesn't just talk about human capability and potential, we invest in it,” Materazzo says.