The Ladies Professional Golf Association has renewed a title sponsorship agreement with financial market company CME Group, while the organisation has also extended a partnership with Cambia Health Solutions and signed a new deal with insurance company XL Catlin.
CME will continue as title sponsor of the LPGA Tour’s Tour Championship until 2023, while it will also retain naming rights to the season-long Race to the CME Globe.
The Tour Championship serves as the LPGA Tour’s season finale. The 2017 event concluded yesterday, with Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn (pictured) claiming the title. Lexi Thompson of the US ended the season top of the Race to the CME Globe rankings.
CME began sponsoring the Tour Championship in 2011.
LPGA commissioner Mike Whan said: “The CME Group Tour Championship and the Race to the CME Globe have become important pillars on the LPGA Tour. We measure a player’s success based on her rankings in the Race to the Globe, and virtually every player hopes to raise that trophy and the $1m (€850,000) bonus at the end of the season.
“I’m both honoured and excited to know that CME and the LPGA will be partners for years and years to come. We could not have a better partner, or friend, when it comes to showcasing the best female golfers in the world.”
Insurance firm XL Caitlin has been named as an official marketing partner of the LPGA, through which it will present a season-long volunteer service award.
A tournament volunteer will be recognised at each event during the LPGA Tour season, with one individual to be awarded $10,000 at the end of the year. The sum will go to the charity of the tournament which nominated the volunteer.
The three-year partnership also includes hospitality packages, as well as founding partner status of the LPGA Women’s Network, an online forum for female golfers which launched in August.
XL Catlin chief executive Mike McGavick said: “Given the sport’s international focus and the LPGA’s particular focus on advancing women in professional sports, this is a natural fit with our global client base and our own initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in the insurance and reinsurance industry.”
Cambia Health Solutions, meanwhile, will continue to serve as title sponsor of the LPGA’s Portland Classic event for three more years until 2020. Cambia Health Solutions, which is based in Portland, has held the role since 2014.