March 1, 2009

PING’s global presence was felt in three countries as PING pros claimed wins in Thailand, Mexico and Brunei over the weekend.

Picking up where she left off in 2008 was Lorena Ochoa, who cruised to victory in her first event of the year at the Honda LPGA Thailand. The #1 player in the world saved her best for the last round with a six-under-par 66 to turn a three-shot overnight deficit into a three-shot win. The 27-year-old credited improved putting brought on by a new PING Redwood Piper S putter for her quick start to the new season. For the week, she had 19 birdies en route to the $217,000 winners’ check. She also added the new PING S57 irons, Rapture V2 20-degree hybrid and three Tour-W wedges to her bag to start the year. A Rapture driver and G10 3-wood give her 14 PING clubs.

At the PGA Tour’s Mayakoba Classic in El Camaleon Riveria Maya, Mexico, Mark Wilson visited the winners’ circle for the second time in his career with a two-shot triumph. A final round 68 on the Riveria Maya-Cancun course broke a two-way tie entering the final round and secured the $648,000 first place check for the 34-year-old Wisconsin native. He relied on the new Rapture V2 driver, a Rapture 18° hybrid, i10 irons, a Tour wedge and a Karsten Series Anser putter.

On the European Senior Circuit, long-time PING pro Mike Cunning’s debut with the over-50 set was sensational as he claimed the top prize at the Aberdeen Brunei Sr. Masters. Played over Brunei’s Empire Hotel & Country Club, the Asian and PGA Tour veteran fired a three-round total of seven-under par to win by two shots.