BMW to end title sponsorship of PGA Tour Playoff

BMW is ending its title sponsorship of the BMW Championship, one of the PGA Tour’s three FedEx Cup Playoff events.

The German car manufacturer’s contract with the PGA Tour and Western Golf Association (WGA) expires after this year’s tournament in August at Medinah Country Club outside Chicago. BMW has sponsored the event since 2007.

Efforts are underway to find a replacement sponsor, who will be expected to pay $16-18m per year for the naming rights.

“We are in active discussions with several companies and are very confident we’ll have a long-term agreement in place starting in 2020,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA senior vice president.

According to the Chicago Tribune, BMW is looking to focus on its global partnership with the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.