FedEx to sponsor WGC event in Memphis from next season
Thursday 12 April 2018 22:13, UK
The WGC-Bridgestone Invitational will change venues and title sponsors next season as it becomes the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational.
The tournament has been played at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, since the formation of the World Golf Championships in 1999, with the one exception of 2002 when it was staged at Sahalee in Washington.
Bridgestone's five-year contract as title sponsor expires this year, and the PGA Tour have announced that the event will now be hosted by TPC Southwind in Memphis, which has been the venue for the FedEx St Jude Classic since 1989.
PGA Tour commissioner, Jay Monahan, said in a statement: "We are thrilled FedEx has signed on as the title sponsor of this World Golf Championships event. We look forward to working with FedEx and continuing to grow a tournament that it has supported for 30 years and carries one of the most impactful charitable stories on the PGA Tour.
"The PGA Tour has had a front row seat to witnessing the impact the St Jude Children's Research Hospital has made on countless lives. We are proud to align one of our truly elite tournaments with two brands that are both globally recognised and an integral part of the Memphis community."
Patrick Fitzgerald, senior vice president of integrated marketing and communications for FedEx. added: "The World Golf Championships-FedEx St Jude Invitational is a significant milestone not only for FedEx and St Jude Children's Research Hospital, but also the larger Memphis community.
"We are proud to continue our title sponsorship to benefit St Jude, and we look forward to the many opportunities and positive economic impact a World Golf Championship event will bring to the city."
This season's FedEx St Jude Classic will go ahead as scheduled the week before the US Open in June, with the final edition of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational being held at Firestone in the week prior to the PGA Championship in August.
Dates for the 2019 edition in Memphis have been confirmed will be revealed in due course.
