The PGA TOUR has announced a new multi-year extension with Mastercard and The Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation. Following this new deal, Mastercard will continue to be the title sponsor of the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational alongside the official payment system of the PGA TOUR and continue its work with the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation in a significant way.
Since 1995, the PGA TOUR and Mastercard have given access to certain PGA TOUR tournaments and facilities in addition to Priceless Experiences at certain events to Mastercard cardholders. Furthermore, Mastercard cardholders will get exclusive access to a new ticket platform powered by Click to Pay from Mastercard, where they can get discounted tickets to more than 20 tournaments throughout the 2022–2023 PGA TOUR season.
Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, said, “The passion for sports is universal. Our longstanding sponsorship of the PGA TOUR provides us a platform to connect this passion to purpose with the next generation of fans, all through our shared love of golf. We are honored to continue working together in support of Mr. Palmer’s unparalleled vision for a better world.”
Beginning in 2004, Mastercard and the Arnold Palmer Invitational forged a strong partnership that has helped generate millions of dollars for kids and families in the Orlando region and beyond.
PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan, said, “We are excited about Mastercard’s commitment to the PGA TOUR and continued support of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a celebration of Mr Palmer’s legacy as a caretaker of our game. Thanks to Mastercard, the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation and the Arnold Palmer Invitational have raised tens of millions for families all over the world. We are grateful to have Mastercard’s backing as we continue to recognize Mr Palmer’s place in history and his passion for helping others.”
The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, one of the PGA TOUR’s scheduled events in 2023, is one of three player-hosted invitationals. They represent the biggest personalities in golf history, together with Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament presented by Workday and Tiger Woods’ Genesis Invitational. The prize money for the Arnold Palmer Invitational provided by Mastercard is $20 million, and the winner also receives a three-year PGA TOUR exemption and 550 FedExCup points.
The 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational offers cardholders a number of exclusive Priceless Experiences, including access to the Mastercard Club, where people can participate in a multi-sensory brand showcase, the chance to play in PGA TOUR 2K23 on the Mastercard Mountain Valley CC course, personalised club fitting, golf swing analysis, and Mastercard’s Dynamic Yield solution.
The Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation, which hosts the Arnold Palmer Invitational, was established to pay homage to the history of its namesakes in the game of golf and other endeavours, such as philanthropy. The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando, the renovation of Lake Lorna Doone Park in the city, the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve in Mr Palmer’s Pennsylvania hometown of Latrobe, as well as numerous other initiatives nationwide, are just a few of the significant projects the Foundation and tournament support as part of their commitment to children’s health, young people’s character development, and nature-focused wellness.
Amy Palmer Saunders, Chair Emeritus of the Foundation, said, “No matter where my parents lived, they were committed to helping their communities and providing opportunities for the next generation. My dad believed in teamwork and in the good that golf can do. This sponsorship is an example of both and represents a strong and effective commitment to extending my parents’ legacy.”
Arnold Palmer, widely regarded as golf’s greatest ambassador, served as the tournament’s longtime host until it moved to Orlando’s Bay Hill Club & Resort in 1979. In 2007, the competition formally added his name to its name. Palmer’s legacy is still celebrated through the event, even though he passed away on September 25, 2016, at the age of 87.