General Motors announced yesterday that it was ending its sponsorship deal with Tiger Woods a year early, but the parting isn't expected to affect Woods'decision to play each year in the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines.
Though Buick reportedly was paying Woods at least $7 million per year, that's not why he showed up at Torrey Pines each winter. He played because he's loved the South Course since childhood, and there is that little matter of championships: The world's No. 1 golfer has won the Buick six times, including four in a row.
Now he has even more reason to return after his spectacular U.S. Open win on the renovated Torrey South Course last June.
Woods likely won't play in the 2009 Buick because he's recovering from knee surgery in June, but he can be expected to compete at Torrey Pines for years to come.
“With all of the success Tiger has had here, I don't think it's going to affect our tournament,” said Tom Wilson, executive director of the Century Club and the Buick tournament director. “This is kind of his coming home to Southern California (every year), and I think he'll continue to play at our event, whether or not Buick is the sponsor.”
Indeed, it is not known how long troubled GM can continue to sponsor its PGA Tour golf tournaments in San Diego and Warwick Hills, Mich. Sports Business Daily reported that a GM source said the company spends “well into eight figures” on its golf package.
Last week, GM announced it would be cutting back on its deal to supply courtesy cars to the PGA Tour. It also has eliminated advertising in such high-profile telecasts as the Super Bowl, Emmys and Oscars.
Buick has a contract to sponsor the Buick Invitational through 2010. Wilson said there had been previous talks about an extension.
“But with the current economic status, we're not sure where that's going to lead,” he said. “We're just playing it one day at a time.”
Woods, 32, has been the centerpiece of Buick's advertising for nine years. He has starred in many commercials, participated in high-profile promotions, and his golf bag with the Buick logo is the most televised in golf.
The decision to part with GM was “absolutely mutual,” Mark Steinberg, Woods'agent at IMG, told the Associated Press.
“It was a combination of things,” Steinberg said. “Tiger was looking to gain some more time, and certainly it was an opportunity for GM to reduce its spending with everything going on.”
In its statement on the matter, GM said the decision was made as part of “the search for budget efficiencies during a difficult economy at General Motors.”
Steinberg said he would “expect there to be some exposure on the bag” when Woods next plays. Sports Business Journal reported that a source said Nike is expected to take Buick's spot on Woods' bag.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
