Jean-Frédéric Dufour, Chief Executive Officer, Rolex SA, said: “Since 1967, Rolex’s commitment to golf has grown and flourished, permeating every level of the sport. With their new alignment and agreement with our friends at the PGA of America, I am incredibly excited at what the future holds for an event which is already recognised as one of the greatest in all of sport.” The invaluable support of Rolex for over a quarter of a century has helped both The Ryder Cup and the European Tour grow and prosper. Guy Kinnings, Deputy CEO European Tour and Ryder Cup Director, said: “Rolex’s commitment to golf as a whole is unparalleled and this is therefore a truly momentous day both for The Ryder Cup and our sport as a whole. A landmark agreement with the PGA of America – Ryder Cup Europe’s partner in golf’s most celebrated team contest – will see the Swiss watch manufacturer align with Ryder Cup USA for the first time as Official Timekeeper, a role it has enjoyed with Team Europe since 1995.Īlready the longest-serving partner of The Ryder Cup, this new global commitment and Worldwide Partner status further strengthens Rolex’s recognised stature in golf, having been at the heart of the game for over 50 years. For a number of years I've felt that football needs to introduce an independent timekeeper to reduce referees' workloads and combat the increasing amount of time-wasting we're seeing.Ryder Cup Europe are delighted to announce that Rolex has become a Worldwide Partner of The Ryder Cup. Monday night's match between Chelsea and Burnley where Sean Dyche's team were accused of time-wasting only strengthened this view. The current system is simply not working. When you look at modern referees, rarely do we see them stopping their watches. They might show it to the goalkeeper but they rarely stop it. This is contributing to the ball not being in play for about a third of games, which is simply not providing fans with value for money. Time-wasting starts from minute one, but I don't think our referees are wise to that. They start to react too late in the game when a lot of time has already been lost. If the goalkeeper's taking too much time, all it needs is a quiet word to tell him to speed up, or a word with the captain letting them know that you are wise to it.Īnd then we're seeing players doing things like delaying taking throw-ins by running forward knowing they'll be told to move back. In actual fact the throw-in should be given the other way.Rolex will be present as the Official Timekeeper and Official Partner when the 104th PGA Championship returns to Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Oklahoma, from 19–22 May. Renowned for having the strongest field among the four men’s Majors and a fan-friendly atmosphere, the PGA Championship promotes innovation, leadership, and aspiration. Organized by the PGA of America, the second men’s Major of the season is contested by professionals only although it is unique among the four Majors with its inclusion of the ‘Team of 20’ – a contingent of PGA professionals who have achieved entry through local qualifiers.

The PGA Championship has been a rich source of success for Rolex’s family of Testimonees, with eight members having won a cumulative 18 championships.

The names of the winners are inscribed on the Wanamaker Trophy awarded to the winner of the event since the inaugural edition in 1916. The Southern Hills course, which features pristine greens, strategic hazards and slender, meandering fairways, has undergone an extensive renovation under the supervision of leading golf architect and Rolex Testimonee, Gil Hanse.

His team has looked to maintain the brilliance of Perry Maxwell’s 1936 design, restoring as much of the original course while ensuring the new layout challenges the best golfers of today and the future. This year’s event marks a record fifth PGA Championship to be played at the historic venue, which has also hosted the U.S. It places a premium on long drives off the tee, coupled with accurate iron play to slick greens, an exacting test that always produces exceptional golf. In their quest to be crowned champion, players will need to demonstrate high levels of precision, performance and reliability, qualities that resonate with Rolex’s own quest for perpetual excellence, in its watchmaking and all other endeavours. The Swiss watch manufacturer has been an indelible part of golf for more than 50 years. The partnership was established in 1967 following a pioneering agreement with Arnold Palmer, who was joined by his on-course rivals and great friends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player – The Big Three – as the brand’s first Testimonees. The relationship continues to flourish and develop globally.

Ryder time keeper