PUMA(R) Golf Athlete Anna Nordqvist Wins McDonald's LPGA Championship

PUMA(R) Golf Athlete Anna Nordqvist Wins McDonald's LPGA Championship

Rookie Nordqvist Clinches First LPGA Major

BOSTON, June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- PUMA(R) Golf athlete and newcomer to the LPGA tour Anna Nordqvist won her first Major on Sunday at the McDonald's LPGA Championship at the Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre de Grace, Maryland.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090615/NE33043 )

The 22 year-old, Swedish born Nordqvist, who signed with PUMA Golf in March 2009, shot a 4- under 68 on Sunday to beat Lindsay Wright and Ji Yai Shin who finished second and third, respectively. Nordqvist won wearing the PUMA Golf Stretch Tech Skort, the PUMA Golf Polo, the PUMA Scramble shoe with Smart Quill technology and the Cat Wristband.

"What an exciting first Major for Anna. She carried the day. All of us at PUMA are thrilled to be a part of her LPGA debut win," said Bob Phillion, Business Unit Manager, PUMA Golf. "Something tells me this is more than just beginner's luck. Anna has proven she's a strong competitor, who brings new energy to the tour. PUMA has a history of scouting up and coming talent; Anna is one such rising star. We can't wait to see just how far she will go."

Playing in only her fifth tournament on the LPGA tour, Nordqvist won by four strokes. Nordqvist finished at 15-under 273 in the tournament's final stand. After watching her five-shot lead dwindle to one, Nordqvist sank a 12-foot birdie putt on No. 14 and clinched her first career victory with a 35-foot putt for birdie on No. 15. Throughout tournament play, she remained calm, collected and consistent--in this case, the recipe for success. Or perhaps it was the PUMA wristbands that imbued her with Wonder Woman-like powers on the course.

Nordqvist is just the fourth Swede in history to win a Major. Prior to turning pro in December of 2008, she was one of the world's highest ranking amateur players. In 2008 alone, she won the Ladies British Amateur, Sweden's World Amateur Team Championship and the Ladies European Team Championship. Nordqvist attended Arizona State University where she secured twenty Top 10 finishes in a total of twenty-four college tournaments, was named First Team All American in 2007 and 2008 and graduated with a number one ranking among amateur players overall.

PUMA entered the golf category in 2006, immediately catching the eye of golfers with their vibrant, stylish, fun and always modern world of golf. Since 2006, PUMA Golf has exploded and continuously expands its product selection to include fashion pieces driven by sport and technology, always focusing on making the golfer look better, feel better and play better. The PUMA Golf Collection worn by Anna Nordqvist is currently available at lifestyle boutiques, select golf specialty and green grass retailers and PUMA Concept Stores worldwide. For more information visit www.puma.com or golf.puma.com

PUMA

PUMA is one of the world's leading sportlifestyle companies that designs and develops footwear, apparel and accessories. It is committed to working in ways that contribute to the world by supporting Creativity, SAFE Sustainability and Peace, and by staying true to the values of being Fair, Honest, Positive and Creative in decisions made and actions taken. PUMA starts in Sport and ends in Fashion. Its Sport Performance and Lifestyle labels include categories such as Football, Running, Motorsports, Golf and Sailing. The Black label features collaborations with renowned designers such as Alexander McQueen, Yasuhiro Mihara and Sergio Rossi. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Tretorn and Hussein Chalayan. The company, which was founded in 1948, distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 9,000 people worldwide and has headquarters in Herzogenaurach/Germany, Boston, London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.puma.com



Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090615/NE33043
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: PUMA North America, Inc.


CONTACT: Global: Sara Gottman, Head of International Public Relations, PUMA AG, +1-617-488-2914, sara.gottman@puma.com, or U.S.: Katie Sheptyck, PR Manager, PUMA North America, +1-978-698-1295, katie.sheptyck@puma.com

Web Site: http://www.puma.com/