FedEx assumes this sponsorship position in time for the 106th edition of the tournament being held at Le Golf National from October 10-13, 2024. Past champions include legends of the game such as Seve Ballesteros, Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer, José María Olazábal, Sir Nick Faldo, Byron Nelson and Walter Hagen.
The tournament now occupies a prime position in the DP World Tour’s new look Back 9, where players will be competing in nine of the Tour’s most historic tournaments and national opens from August to October to try and qualify for the season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs.
The Strategic Alliance between the PGA TOUR and the DP World Tour was pivotal in securing this historic agreement. FedEx has a long-standing relationship with the PGA TOUR dating back to 1986 with its sponsorship of the annual tournament in Memphis at TPC Southwind, currently the FedEx St. Jude Championship. FedEx expanded its involvement with the PGA TOUR in 2002 by becoming an Official Marketing Partner and then added the umbrella sponsorship position of the PGA TOUR’s season long FedExCup competition in 2007, which concludes with the FedExCup Playoffs each August.
In addition to the significant on-course branding FedEx will receive, it will also be working closely with the DP World Tour’s award-winning original and branded content team to deliver creative content campaigns across digital channels in the build up to, and during, the tournament.
Brian Philips, EVP, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at FedEx said: “We are proud to expand our reach in the world of professional golf by becoming the title sponsor of the Open de France on the DP World Tour. FedEx has been a long-time supporter of the PGA TOUR through the FedExCup and the annual tournament in Memphis, Tennessee, the company’s world headquarters. We look forward to working with the DP World Tour in France, home to our largest international air operation at Charles de Gaulle airport. The hub serves more than 45 countries across Europe and employs more than 5,500 team members in the greater Paris region.”
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive Officer of the DP World Tour, said: “We’re excited to welcome FedEx to the DP World Tour’s global platform where they can build upon an already extensive golf marketing programme in the United States with the PGA TOUR. The Open de France is one of our oldest and most prestigious events, played on an iconic former Ryder Cup venue in Le Golf National. It will be a perfect platform for FedEx to showcase their global logistics capabilities to the sort of international audience that the DP World Tour attracts. This agreement is further evidence of how our Strategic Alliance with the PGA TOUR continues to enhance the DP World Tour and our members, by providing new commercial opportunities with prestigious brands.”
Pascal Grizot, President of the French Golf Federation, said: “The 2024 FedEx Open de France is entering an exciting new era. In FedEx we have a new prestigious Title Sponsor with a strong track record in golf, whose investment will help ensure that our historic national Open continues to thrive. As a tournament in the Back 9, we will also have enhanced storytelling opportunities as the tension ramps up next October and the best players on the DP World Tour battle it out to secure a Play-Off spot.”
Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR, added: “Today’s announcement is another example of the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour working together for the benefit of men’s professional golf. As a sponsor of the PGA TOUR since 1986 and umbrella sponsor of the FedExCup since 2007, FedEx has played an integral role in the evolution and elevation of the PGA TOUR for the benefit of our players, tournaments and fans. We are proud to support FedEx in their next step in the professional game, which will see their significant impact expand to one of the DP World Tour’s most cherished events.”