Mastercard Becomes Patron of Open Championship

July 13, 2011

The Royal and Ancient (R&A) has announced Mastercard as a patron and the official card of the Open Championship.

The four-year deal will come into effect in 2012, where the 141st edition of the oldest and most prestigious Major, which is organised by the R&A, will be held at Royal Lytham & St Annes in Lancashire.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Afredo Gangotena, chief marketing officer at Mastercard, said: “We are immensely proud to become a global partner of the Open Championship and thrilled to have the chance to bring golf fans from across the world closer to the games.

“Our association with the Open Championship is a unique opportunity to offer our cardholders priceless access and experiences around the most historic tournament in golf.”

R&A director, Mike Tate, added: “We are delighted that Mastercard will become a patron and the official card of the Open Championship from 2012.  Mastercard’s expertise, commitment to heightening the fan experience and longstanding association with golf across the world make it a natural partner for the R&A and the Open Championship.”

The new partnership extends and expands the financial services company’s association with the sport of golf. Currently Mastercard sponsors several tournaments and organisations, including the PGA Tour and the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and maintains relationships with golfers Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Camilo Villegas, Boo Weekley, Brandt Snedeker, Natalie Gulbis and five-times Open Championship winner and golfing legend Tom Watson.

The Open Championship 2011 gets underway on Thursday July 14 at Royal St George’s golf club in Sandwich, Kent, where 200,000 spectators are expected to attend over the course of the event, which has media exposure in 187 countries.