Ryder Cup Announces First Worldwide Sponsor
Standard Life Investments has been announced as the first worldwide sponsor of the Ryder Cup after signing a deal to support the next two editions of the team golf event.
In a groundbreaking deal, the Scottish-based company will partner the competition for the 2014 and 2016 contests, allowing SLI to promote and market its services in association with the Ryder Cup.
The competition, which pits 24 golfers from Europe and the US against each other in two teams of 12, attracts a potential daily TV audience of 500 million people across 183 countries, making it one of the most global events in sport.
Pete Bevacqua, chief executive officer of the PGA of America, said in a statement: ‘We are delighted to welcome Standard Life Investments as a worldwide partner to both the 2014 and 2016 Ryder Cups in what is an historic agreement. This announcement follows the launch of the unified Ryder Cup global brand identity and the stated aim of Ryder Cup Europe and the PGA of America to secure global partnerships going forward.’
Following one of the most dramatic comebacks in sport last year, which saw Team Europe mount a final day comeback to win the trophy 14.5 points to 13.5, the Europeans will next take on United States at Gleneagles, Scotland in 2014, before the event is staged at Hazeltine, Minnesota two years later.
The next edition will see Europe captained by Ireland’s Paul McGinley while eight-times major champion Tom Watson is to lead the Americans.
