PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (May 9, 2017) – Having celebrated the first decade of the FedExCup last September with Rory McIlroy’s memorable charge to the championship, the PGA TOUR and FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) today announced the extension of the shipping giant’s sponsorship of the FedExCup season-long competition on the PGA TOUR.
“The FedEx relationship has been invaluable to the PGA TOUR on multiple fronts for more than 30 years, beginning with its sponsorship of the FedEx St. Jude Classic,” PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan said. “The FedExCup championship revolutionized the fan viewing experience and competitive landscape of the PGA TOUR, establishing a cohesive narrative throughout the schedule and a compelling conclusion to the season with the FedExCup Playoffs.”
“We are proud to extend our historic sponsorship of the FedExCup, which has dramatically changed the PGA TOUR,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, senior vice president, Integrated Marketing and Communications for FedEx. “The FedExCup is the ultimate prize on the PGA TOUR, and the season-long competition has delivered some of the most exciting finishes in recent memory.”
As part of the sponsorship renewal, FedEx has committed $1 million in annual donations to benefit non-profit organizations. The donations align with FedEx Cares, a global giving initiative, in which FedEx is investing $200 million in over 200 global communities by 2020 to create opportunities and deliver solutions for people around the world.
Beyond defining the season champion, the FedExCup has made every tournament more meaningful through the season-long points competition and has created a consistent platform for media partners to tell the PGA TOUR story. The FedExCup Playoffs give fans the opportunity to see golf’s greatest players compete at the highest level in four high-profile events, culminating with the crowning of the FedExCup Champion.
Rory McIlroy emerged as the 10th Champion with a memorable title run, featuring two FedExCup Playoffs victories, capped by a dramatic Sunday finish at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. McIlroy holed out from 137 yards for an eagle-2 on East Lake Golf Club’s 16th hole and then birdied No. 18, forcing a three-way playoff with Ryan Moore and Kevin Chappell. McIlroy finally secured the victory and the FedExCup title with a 15-foot birdie putt on the fourth playoff hole – appropriately, No. 16.
In doing so, McIlroy joined an impressive list of FedExCup Champions: Tiger Woods (2007, 2009), Vijay Singh (2008), Jim Furyk (2010), Bill Haas (2011), Brandt Snedeker (2012), Henrik Stenson (2013), Billy Horschel (2014) and Jordan Spieth (2015).