MasterCard to sponsor The Open Championship
MasterCard has expanded its golf sponsorship portfolio by signing a deal to become the first official payment card of The Open Championship.
The payment services provider, which sponsors several US tournaments and top players including Ian Poulter (pictured) and Graeme McDowell, has signed a four-year deal to start at the 2012 tournament.
This year’s Open Championship starts Thursday (14 July) at the Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent.
MasterCard uses sponsorship to raise awareness of its products among corporate clients and consumers, and to distinguish it from payment services rivals Visa and Barclaycard through related promotions and hospitality.
It is an official sponsor of the UEFA European Championships and Champions League and also has partnerships with Major League Baseball and the New Zealand Rugby Union team. It is also title sponsor of the Brit Awards.
Alfredo Gangotena, chief marketing officer at MasterCard, says the Open sponsorship provides a “unique opportunity” to offer cardholders “access and experiences” around the tournament.
