Golf News: FedEx Turns Sponsor For Open de France After Bolstering the PGA Tour

In a historic move, the DP World Tour has signed an agreement with FedEx. The logistics company will now be the title sponsor of the Open de France, which is scheduled for October 10–13, 2024. The new partnership has replaced the old sponsorship with Cazoo (an online car retail company) for the 106th edition of the aforementioned event.

The Tour said that the agreement could become a reality because of its strategic alliance with the PGA Tour. The PGA Tour had partnered with FedEx for several decades, the first starting in 1986. The historic partnership between the European Tour and the logistic goliath will bring several changes to the branding of the event in October.

In the last five editions of the event, Open de France has changed three sponsors. The HNA sponsored the tournament in 2017 and 2018, but it canceled the budget in 2019. That year, it was Amundi that sponsored the Open de France. For the last two editions, Cazoo partnered with the European Tour for sponsorship.

The Open de France is one of the ‘Back 9’ events on the 2024 European Tour’s schedule, starting in August with the Betfred British Masters and ending in October. The Back 9 will have some of the most historic DPWT events before the two season-ending playoffs. The Open de France will be played on Le Golf National, which has been known as the oldest national open on the continent of Europe.

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FedEx sponsoring the Open de France may be sudden, but it looks like the best choice for the logistics company. FedEx sponsors the annual FedEx Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennesse, as they have their headquarters situated in the state. Similarly, in Paris, France, the logistic firm has the largest international air operation at Charles de Gaulle Airport, which serves 45 countries around the world.

How did the PGA Tour help DPWT in scoring the deal with FedEx?

The strategic partnership between the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour started in 2020 and it was strengthened in 2022. It was aimed at growing more sponsor opportunities and benefits for both leagues. Over the years, the agreement between the two has proved to be fruitful.

Keith Pelley, said about the new alliance “We’re excited to welcome FedEx to the DP World Tour’s global platform where they can build upon an already extensive golf marketing programme in the United States with the PGA TOUR.” Soon-to-resign CEO also talked about that how this new deal with FedEx is “evidence” of DPWT’s successful strategic alliance with the American Tour.

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Whereas, the Commissioner of the PGA Tour, Jay Monahan was also equally elated with the new agreement between FedEx and the European Tour. He talked about how the combined working of both Tours is “ for the benefit of men’s professional golf.”  Monahan also spoke about how he is excited to see FedEx’s “impact expand to one of the DP World Tour’s most cherished events.”

What are your thoughts on this new deal signed between the DPWT and FedEx? Let us know in the comments below!