The Memorial Tournament and Columbus-based Nationwide have announced that the company will sponsor the annual golf event in Dublin for another six years.
The partnership began in 2011 to increase brand visibility and elevate the already-successful tournament. Nationwide CEO Steve Rasmussen says another critical component involves raising money for Children's Hospital, and he expects that to continue.
The PGA Tour also says the Memorial will become one of the highest regular-season prize money events next year with an $8.5-million-dollar purse, and more than $1.6 million of that going to the winner. That's a significant increase from the $40,000 won by Roger Maltbie at the first Memorial in 1976. Tournament founder and golf legend Jack Nicklaus.
Next year's Memorial champ will also receive a three-year-exemption to play in other Tour events, an extra season than most other tournaments offer. The first Thursday in June will mark the 41st playing of the Memorial. Nicklaus says it's followed through on the core elements he wanted at the start - having a Masters-like feel, serving the game of golf, contributing to charity and honoring the game's greats. Johnny Miller will be the honoree at next year's tournament.
