Technology company Microsoft has entered into a partnership with the PGA of America golf organisation, through which it will sponsor the US team at this year’s Ryder Cup.
Microsoft will serve as the official cloud computing supplier for Ryder Cup USA during the tournament, which will be held from September 28-30 at Le Golf National in Paris, France.
As part of the agreement, Scouts Consulting Group, Ryder Cup USA’s official research and analytics partner, will be provided with data, visualisation and machine-learning methods courtesy of Microsoft.
The partnership will focus on player statistics, golf course visualisation and situational awareness.
"In the current 'Moneyball' era of sports, analytics are increasingly important, and the marriage between golf and data is no exception," Jeff Price, chief commercial officer of the PGA of America, said. "This relationship with Microsoft ensures that the US Ryder Cup team has everything it needs in real time, whether it be in America or Paris in late September."
The US goes into this year’s Ryder Cup looking for a second successive win over Europe after its 2016 victory at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. Team USA's last win on European soil came in 1993.