Time for another new equipment gallery, and this one leads off with the R9 and R9 TP irons from TaylorMade.

A couple new hybrids, one from Adams and another from Miura, follow, and the roundup also includes a couple new bags, Pinnacle balls, a push cart and apparel.

And then there are the putters from a new company called Utopia Golf Products. You'll just have to check out the photo to see what's unique about them. View the gallery to read more about the new equipment choices.

Alexis Thompson is just the latest in a now-long line of wunderkinds to emerge in women's golf over the past 7-8 years - going back to a 12-year-old Michelle Wie.

Now Thompson and Wie are at the top of the leaderboard midway through the first round of the Navistar LPGA Classic, with the soon-to-be 20-year-old Wie still looking for her first professional victory, and the 14-year-old Thompson the leader in the clubhouse.

Picture Thompson and Wie both still in contention on Sunday, and you'll be picturing a dream scenario for the LPGA.

Thompson carded a 7-under 65 today in the Alabama tournament, with Wie a stroke back at 66. As the time of this writing, they are first and tied for second, respectively, but about half the field has yet to complete Round 1.

In 2007, Thompson broke Morgan Pressel's record to become the youngest-ever qualifier for the U.S. Women's Open. Thompson was 12 years, four months and one day old when she made it through qualifying. Since then, Thompson has continued to impress, winning a variety of big major and amateur tournaments, including the 2008 U.S. Girls Junior Amateur.

Thompson also made the cut in two LPGA majors in 2009, finishing 21st in the Kraft Nabisco Championship and 34th in the U.S. Women's Open.

For later updates and complete scores, check the scoreboard on LPGA.com.

Good news and bad news on the sponsorship front (which is really a how-the-lousy-economy-is-affecting-pro-golf front). The LPGA announced today that it has re-signed a sponsor for another two years, but that news comes a day after the PGA Tour announced the departure one of its sponsors.

The PGA Tour's Verizon Heritage will be minus Verizon going forward. The phone company decided not to renew its contract as title sponsor of the Hilton Head, S.C., tournament. But that contract doesn't expire until after the 2010 event, giving the PGA Tour a full year to search for a new title sponsor. And that shouldn't be a problem.

MCI is the sponsor with the longest association with the Heritage, which was founded in 1970. Perhaps the PGA Tour should search outside the telecommunications industry this time.

The LPGA Tour, meanwhile, announced today that State Farm has extended its sponsorship of the State Farm Classic through 2011, adding two years to its sponsorship deal. And the tournament's purse of $1.7 million remains intact, unlike a couple other LPGA events whose sponsors recently re-signed while also announcing a reduction in prize money.

That announcement followed by a day the news that the Navistar LPGA Classic will return in 2010. That makes 19 tournaments confirmed for the LPGA in 2010, with more announcements expected in the coming weeks.

Are you a G-Man or an i-guy? That's the question when considering the two most recent driver launches from Ping, the G15 and i15 drivers. The G15 is a forgiving driver aimed at mid- and higher-handicappers; the i15 is a workable driver targeted at lower-handicappers. And our reviewer? He loved 'em both.

When you read the review, you'll be able to add your own comments if you've tried either of these new Ping drivers yourself.