Amid Getting Severe Backlash For Ball Roll Back Controversy, USGA Suffers Another Major Blow

The USGA has been the center of attention in recent weeks. Following the ball rollback rule controversy, Mike Whan and the USGA have been closely followed by golf fans. And amid all the backlash from the PGA Tour pros and the chaos that the rollback has created in the golf world, the game’s governing giant suffers yet another setback.

The USGA takes a hit from its year-old partnership

The USGA has been the target board that Tour pros and fans have been aiming at ever since the ball rollback rule option introduction. And amid that turmoil, they see another blow dealt. Little more than a year ago, the USGA partnered up with ProMedica for a 10-year sponsorship agreement. And now the two have cut ties within such a short period! ProMedica is an Ohio-based non-profit that promotes integrated health and well-being across 28 states in the US.

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The company was the first presenting sponsor in U.S. Women’s Open history. Moreover, they were the main reason behind the Tour Championship’s purse seeing a record boost to $10 million last year. Mike Whan, the USGA CEO, recently spoke to Golfweek and confirmed that the two companies had parted ways. He revealed that the reason for the split was was that ProMedica’s business had taken a major hit recently.

Whan claimed that this break in partnership would not affect any plans or purses that the USGA had in mind. “It doesn’t change anything about our commitment to where we play, how we play, how much we play for,” he stated firmly. “All those things remain the same.”

Replacing ProMedica is not a priority

The CEO claimed that there were already multiple companies lining up to replace ProMedica. But he was in no hurry to rush the sponsor replacement. “I think anybody who had doubts about whether or not (a presenting sponsor) would be good for the women’s game, and help lift the U.S. Women’s Open to another level,” explained Whan. “Those doubts were eliminated.”

This year, the U.S. Women’s Open will be played at Pebble Beach for the first time in the event’s history in July. So that gives Whan and his team more than enough time to find another sponsor. And the CEO’s cool-headedness and calm words clearly suggest that he is not too concerned about it!

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Do you think Whan’s words will ring through and nothing will change despite this major loss? Or will the downward spiral of the USGA continue with the fallout of this recent revelation? Let us know in the comments below.