A Look Back at This Year’s Rolex Golf Moments
Posted by John Lavitt and filed under Rolex Events |
Over the years, Rolex has sponsored golf tournaments in the U.S. and Europe that have produced memorable highlights. In 2008, the world’s top male and female professional golfers competed in championships that bore the Rolex seal of sponsorship.
Photo credit: Rolex
The two major Rolex events in 2008 for the women were the Evian Masters and the Women’s British Open.
The Evian Masters takes place at the Evian Masters Golf Club in Évian-les-Bains, France in July. The tournament is held the week before the Women’s British Open, a major tournament for the LPGA Tour. This year’s winner was Sweden’s Helen Alfredsson.
The Women’s British Open took place in Sunningdale Golf Club, Berkshire, England, from July 31 to August 3, 2008. This year’s winner was South Korea’s Ji Yai Shin.
Rolex sponsors the four most prestigious tournaments in men’s golf – The Masters, The Open Championship, the PGA Championship, and the U.S. Open Championship.
Photo Credit: Rolex
Last April, the golfing world’s attention was focused on Augusta as the top male professional golfers vied for the legendary green jacket. This year, the green jacket and prize money of US$1.36 million went to South African Trevor Immelman.
The second major golfing event took place at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla wher Tiger Woods emerged as the winner of the 2008 U.S. Open Championship. Like Rolex, Woods is a true symbol of excellence, and this was his 14th professional major. The victory made Woods the sixth player to win three or more U.S. Open championships.
The British Open Championship is the third major in men’s professional golf. It is also the oldest of the four majors. This Rolex-sponsored tournament was held in Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England in July. Ireland’s Padraig Harrington successfully defended his title to bring home the championship and £750,000 in prize money.
The fourth and final major in the golfing calendar was the 90th PGA Championship held this year in Oakland Hills Country Club in, Michigan. This Rolex-sponsored event took place in August, and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington won the tournament.
Aside from the four majors, Rolex also sponsored the Senior Open Championship and the 2008 Ryder Cup matches.
Royal Troon Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland, was the Senior Open Championship’s venue this July. The U.S.A.’s Bruce Vaughan won the tournament.
The Rolex-sponsored 37th Ryder Cup was held in September at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. This year, Team USA won over Team Europe. Led by Team Captain Paul Azinger, the U. S. won its first Ryder Cup since 1999. Nick Faldo was the Team Captain for the Europeans.
Rolex continues to show its support of professional golf, and 2009 will be no different!
