Japan Airlines has signed on as the title sponsor of the first PGA Tour-sanctioned golf event to be held in Japan.
The Japan Airlines Championship, which will form part of the PGA Tour Champions senior golf circuit, will take place in capital city Tokyo for the first time in the week of September 4-10, 2017 at Narita Golf Club.
The event will comprise a field of 68 professionals, including up to eight local sponsor exemptions. It will feature a prize fund of $2.5m (€2.3m).
“We are honoured to welcome Japan Airlines into the PGA Tour family, as we continue to further globalise PGA Tour Champions and the legends of the game for golf fans around the world,” PGA Tour Champions president Greg McLaughlin said. “The Japan Airlines Championship will be an exciting new venture for our Tour, and will allow our players and fans to experience the golf-rich culture that is Tokyo.”
Today’s (Tuesday’s) announcement comes one week before the start of the inaugural Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs – a three-event, season-ending playoff series to determine the season-long champion on PGA Tour Champions.
With its slot on the schedule, the Japan Airlines Championship is set to play a key role in determining which players advance to the Playoffs, which were first formed last year.