Automotive manufacturer Hyundai has signed up as the title sponsor of the PGA Tour golf event at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, California.
Hyundai will be shifting its previous sponsorship from the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii to what is currently known as the Northern Trust Open from 2017.
It was announced yesterday (Wednesday) that Northern Trust would switch its PGA Tour sponsorship from the west to east coast of the US, replacing rival bank Barclays as the title sponsor of the first FedExCup Playoff tournament held annually in the New York and New Jersey area, also beginning in 2017.
Northern Trust has been the title sponsor of the event since 2008, with this year’s tournament running from February 18-21. Barclays decided against renewing its sponsorship deal for the FedExCup Playoff event, setting the domino effect in motion.
“Considering that Hyundai Motor America is headquartered and heavily invested in the greater Los Angeles area, this is a perfect fit for Hyundai’s long-term vision and goals as a tournament sponsor,” PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said. “Hyundai is a terrific partner that has actively promoted the Hyundai Tournament of Champions since becoming title sponsor in 2011 and used the event to broaden awareness of its brand and products.”
The Northern Trust Open was won last year by American James Hahn (pictured).