Valero extends backing of Texas Open

San Antonio-based energy group Valero has renewed its title sponsorship of the Texas Open PGA Tour golf tournament.

The new 10-year deal begins in 2019 and runs through 2028, and ensures that the event will continue to be officially known as the Valero Texas Open.

The new agreement also ensures that the tournament will form part of the spring sequence of events that precedes the Masters. The 2019 tournament will take place in the week of April 1-7, with the Masters taking place the following week.

Valero has served as title sponsor of the event since 2002. The 2022 Texas Open will mark the 100th anniversary of the event’s inception, making it the third-oldest PGA Tour co-sponsored tournament, trailing only the BMW Championship (1899) and RBC Canadian Open (1904). The Texas Open also is the oldest Tour event to be held in the same city since inception.

During Valero’s 16 years as title sponsor, more than $122m (€102.4m) has been raised for charity, with a tournament-record $11m generated in 2017.

“Not only is the Valero Texas Open one of the oldest and most storied tournaments on the PGA Tour, but since Valero became title sponsor in 2002, the tournament consistently has been one of the leaders in charitable giving,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said. “Thanks to Valero and the Valero Energy Foundation, this tournament continues to make a tremendous impact through philanthropic efforts that primarily focus on helping children.”

Kevin Chappell (pictured) is the tournament’s defending champion, having won this year’s event back in April.