ATLANTA, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- LPGA Tour Player Nicole Hage, who is sponsored by SouthernLINC Wireless, a Southern Company (NYSE: SO), shot a 4-under 68 in today's second round of the Navistar LPGA Classic in Prattville, Ala., putting her at 6 under par overall.

Early in the second round, Hage was briefly tied for first place at 7 under par with Cristie Kerr, who is currently the highest-ranked American on the LPGA Tour. Hage also came within one stroke of tying her career-low 67, which she carded in the final round of this tournament in 2008.

Today's finish positions Hage to make the projected cut and continue competing through the weekend for her share of the Navistar LPGA Classic's $1.3 million purse.

Before turning pro for the 2008 season, Hage was a standout collegiate player at Auburn University. She was a member of two Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship teams, a four-time National Golf Coaches Association All-American and a four-time All-SEC player. In 2004, she received SEC Freshman of the Year and SEC Player of the Year honors.

"I am fortunate to have the backing of SouthernLINC Wireless at this stage of my professional golf career," said 25-year-old Hage. "There is nothing like playing in front of a 'hometown crowd.' During the first round, I heard a few 'War Eagle' cheers on every hole!"

The 2010 season marks Hage's first year on the LPGA Tour with Tournament Division Membership priority status in category No. 11, which she was granted following a ninth-place finish at Qualifying School in December 2009.

"SouthernLINC Wireless is proud to be a sponsor of the Navistar LPGA Classic for the third consecutive year and to support Nicole Hage, one of the LPGA's most promising young players," said Julie Pigott, vice president of marketing and customer support for SouthernLINC Wireless. "As an Auburn University alumna, Nicole has strong ties to the state of Alabama, so we look forward to our SouthernLINC Wireless customers and community neighbors coming out to support her this weekend."

Earlier this week, Hage led the team from SouthernLINC Wireless to a win at Monday's pro-am competition. With a net score of 50.87, Hage's SouthernLINC Wireless team edged out teams fronted by LPGA Tour players Lisa Strom and Leah Wigger.

In addition to Hage, the SouthernLINC Wireless pro-am team was comprised of SouthernLINC Wireless Vice President of Sales and Distribution Rodney Johnson, SouthernLINC Wireless Director of Business and Government Sales Michael Smith, Alabama Department of Homeland Security's Chuck Murph and City of Tuscaloosa Police Captain Mike Kearney. The pro-am event featured a four-person amateur team each paired with one LPGA Tour professional.

The Navistar LPGA Classic continues through Sunday on the Senator Course of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill in Prattville. Golf Channel will televise tournament action on Oct. 8, 9 and 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. EDT each day. For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.navistarlpgaclassic.com.

EDITORS NOTE: Ms. Hage is available for interviews. Additional photos of her are available upon request.

About SouthernLINC Wireless

SouthernLINC Wireless, a Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is an Atlanta-based regional wireless carrier with network coverage in the major metro and rural areas of Alabama, Georgia, southeast Mississippi and northwest Florida. SouthernLINC Wireless bundles multiple communication options, including Push To Talk two-way radio, cellular service, wireless Internet access, wireless data, and text and picture messaging, into one hand-held device. For more information, please call 1-800-818-LINC (5462) or visit www.southernlinc.com.

About Southern Company

With 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company is the premier energy company serving the Southeast. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are below the national average. Southern Company is consistently listed among the top U.S. electric service providers in customer satisfaction by the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

SOURCE SouthernLINC Wireless