MasterCard Announces Global Partnership with The Open Championship from 2012

MasterCard and The R&A have announced a global partnership which will see the payments company become a Patron and the Official Card of The Open Championship for four years from 2012.  The announcement was made today at Royal St George’s Golf Club, Sandwich, Kent, host of The Open Championship 2011.
With a history of over 15 years’ association with golf sponsorship, the agreement is a further opportunity for MasterCard to build on its sporting heritage.  The partnership complements MasterCard’s existing stable of sport and cultural sponsorship properties and player endorsements.
Alfredo 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 game.  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.”
Mike Tate, Director at The R&A, commented: “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.”
Organised by The R&A, The Open Championship is the oldest and most prestigious Major golf championship in the world and the only Major hosted outside of the United States.  The annual tournament is attended by 200,000 spectators each year and has global media exposure in over 187 countries.
utside of Europe, MasterCard sponsors the PGA TOUR, the PGA Champions Tour and the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented By MasterCard in Orlando.
MasterCard currently enjoys relationships with Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Camilo Villegas, Boo Weekley, Brandt Snedeker, Natalie Gulbis and five-times Open Championship winner and golfing legend, Tom Watson.