Report: DP World Tour could lose major sponsor

The DP World Tour could be on the brink of losing one of its most high-profile sponsors as golf’s civil war continues to rage.

The Guardian is reporting that car giant Porsche may withdraw its backing of the European Open as a result of sanctions imposed by the circuit last week.

The tour announced further fines and suspensions for a total of 26 players who have played on the LIV Golf League and / or Asian Tour over the past 12 months with the necessary release.

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Those suspensions have rendered Porsche ambassador Paul Casey and Martin Kaymer, one of Germany’s biggest sportspeople, ineligible for the European Open, which is scheduled to take place in Hamburg next month.

As a consequence, it is understood that there are “serious doubts” over whether or not Porsche will continue with its backing of the tournament, a relationship that stretches back to 2015.

A spokesperson for the company told The Guardian: “We heard about the individual sanctions of the Tour against players. But as those are individual we do not know so far what this means exactly to each player and are in contact with the Tour and the managements.

“The Porsche European Open is a great event. We are in discussions about the future of the event with the promoter and the Tour.”

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Another car manufacturer, Honda, has already announced that it is reversing out of its relationship with the DP World Tour’s strategic partner, the PGA Tour.

The Japanese firm announced late last year that it would be ending its support of the Honda Classic after 42 years – the longest continuous sponsorship on the US-based circuit.

In a statement, Honda said that it had “achieved” its goal of becoming a household name in the US, and that it was ending its sponsorship as its marketing strategy has “evolved”.

However, it is worth noting that the tournament was not one of the tournaments “elevated” in status by the PGA Tour this year.

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RBC, the long-standing title sponsor of the Canadian Open, is also understood to be considering its own position unless the status of its tournament is greatly enhanced.

Its chief marketing officer Mary DePaoli told the Toronto Star: “I think we have been a very loud voice at the table as they have been designing their schedule for 2024 and beyond … We are holding out hope that we get a fair shot at a good spot.

“if we don’t, that leads to us having to step back and consider what does it mean for the tournament and for RBC’s involvement in the tournament.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor