The State Farm LPGA Series begins this week at the Franklin American Mortgage Championship benefiting the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.

The State Farm LPGA Series is a seven-event television series that airs on the ESPN network and features a $250,000 bonus pool. The events in the series are the Franklin American Mortgage Championship benefiting the Monroe Carell, Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, May 4-7; Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill, May 11-14; Sybase Classic presented by Lincoln Mercury, May 18-21; ShopRite LPGA Classic, June 2-4; Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Presented by Kroger, July 13-16; Wendy's Championship for Children, Aug. 24-27; and the State Farm Classic, Aug. 31-Sept. 3.

One of the most significant changes for the 2006 State Farm LPGA Series will bring about a large cash windfall for one player. Players finishing in the top 20 in the designated State Farm LPGA Series events earn points for a $250,000 bonus pool, and points are tripled at the State Farm Classic.

This year, it is a winner-take-all bonus pool, as the player who earns the most points and wins the State Farm LPGA Series will walk away with the entire $250,000, which represents the largest bonus pool paid out to one player since the Tour's inception in 1950. Points will be tripled at the State Farm Classic and the State Farm LPGA Series winner must compete in the State Farm Classic to be eligible.

Previously, the $250,000 bonus pool was allocated to players who finished first through 10th in the standings, with the winner taking home $100,000 and 10th place earning $5,000.

Earnings from the State Farm LPGA Series bonus pool are unofficial and do not count toward the ADT Official Money List.

The State Farm LPGA Series in recent years has featured established LPGA stars and has also served as a proving ground for the Tour's up-and-comers. Last year, Paula Creamer, Stacy Prammanasudh and Heather Young all became a Rolex First-Time Winner at a State Farm LPGA Series event, while Annika Sorenstam and Cristie Kerr won three and two State Farm LPGA Series tournaments, respectively.

Kerr is the defending champion of the Series. Other Series winners are: Lorena Ochoa (2004); Hee-Won Han (2003); Mi Hyun Kim (2002); Annika Sorenstam (2001); Pat Hurst (2000); Karrie Webb (1999); and Se Ri Pak (1998). The Series was the first-ever umbrella-sponsored television series for women's professional golf, and this is State Farm's seventh year as title sponsor.

Since 1992, State Farm Insurance Companies® have been a leading partner with the LPGA and the various charitable organizations associated with the LPGA. The 1993 season marked a memorable date for State Farm and the LPGA, as State Farm became the title sponsor for the State Farm Rail Classic held in Springfield, Ill. The State Farm Rail Classic, now known as the State Farm Classic, has raised more than $2 million in charitable donations. State Farm will remain as the title sponsor for the State Farm Classic through 2006.

As a leading proponent of women's initiatives, State Farm expanded its sponsorship by becoming a marketing partner with the LPGA in 2000. As the relationship between State Farm and the LPGA grew, State Farm continued its title sponsorship of the State Farm Classic and became the exclusive insurance and financial services advertiser of the State Farm LPGA Series on the ESPN network in 2003. The State Farm LPGA Series is a television series that encompasses selected LPGA events aired on the ESPN network culminating in a $250,000 bonus pool. State Farm is also the official insurance company of the LPGA Tour.

State Farm® insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 71,000 employees serve nearly 73 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada. State Farm also offers financial services products through State Farm Bank®. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 18 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada at statefarm.ca.

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