The European Tour today announces that it will be seeking a new sponsor for the Scottish Open following Barclays decision not to renew its sponsorship of the tournament. This illustrious event, celebrating its 30thanniversary next year will keep its prime July date in the week preceding The Open Championship on The 2012 European Tour International Schedule.
World Number One Luke Donald won the title at Castle Stuart Golf Links, Inverness, in July with a closing 63 – the lowest round of his European Tour career – to claim his second successive title in Europe after his BMW PGA Championship victory earlier in the year.
Barclays took over the title sponsorship of the Scottish Open in 2002 and in partnership with The European Tour turned it into one of Europe’s leading golf events attracting the world’s best golfers to play in the event. Argentina’s Eduardo Romero won the first Barclays Scottish Open title at Loch Lomond, and winners of the event since then have included Major Champions Ernie Els, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell and Ryder Cup players Thomas Levet and Edoardo Molinari in addition to Luke Donald.
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “We thank Barclays for their vision and leadership. We respect and understand that their decision was based on market factors following a hugely successful partnership that has lasted almost a decade.
“The combination of a world-class title, prime date in the week immediately before The Open Championship and stunning location in Scotland – the Home of Golf - make this a particularly attractive proposition and we look forward to securing the future of the Scottish Open with a new sponsor.
“I would like to thank Barclays for its support of European golf and am delighted it will continue to sponsor The Barclays Singapore Open, a European and Asian Tour co-sanctioned event.”
Tim Peat, Managing Director, Barclays Capital, said: “Barclays has been proud to be the title sponsor of the Scottish Open for the last decade. We made our decision reluctantly based on current market factors. I would like to thank The European Tour for its professional support and event management throughout our period sponsoring the Scottish Open making it a success for the players, the general public and our clients.
“Through our sponsorship of Phil Mickelson, The Barclays in the USA and The Barclays Singapore Open, an event co-sanctioned by The European Tour, we will continue to have a significant presence in professional golf.”
Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, the Scottish Government, said: “The Scottish Open has always been one of the most iconic and visually stunning tournaments on the European Tour schedule, and Barclays’ sponsorship has been instrumental in growing this event in recent years. In Scotland we look forward to the continued growth of this world-class tournament, working with the European Tour and a new sponsor to continue to build on the success of the Scottish Open for the future.”
Grant Sword, Partner, Castle Stuart Golf Links, said: “Following the successful move to Castle Stuart in Inverness this year and the universal praise received from the players, media, and spectators alike, Castle Stuart Golf Links is looking forward to working closely with The European Tour and a new sponsor in the coming years.”
