The top professional golfers in the world, all winners on the PGA TOUR in 2010, convened at the beautiful Kapalua resort this past week for the 2011 Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Featuring an exclusive field of champions, Hyundais first year as title sponsor of the PGA TOURs season-opening event was extremely successful for the company, its dealers, the PGA TOUR and the players.
Hyundais title sponsorship of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions is a tremendous opportunity to tie our brand with top golf competition and we congratulate Jonathan Byrd on his playoff victory, said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president, Sales, Hyundai Motor America. Throughout the week, the players and fans at the tournament were able to experience some of Hyundais newest vehicles, including our all-new luxury flagship sedan, the Equus, and many of our environmentally friendly vehicles such as the Sonata Hybrid, i10 Electric vehicle and Tucson fuel cell vehicle. Golf and the automotive industry are a natural fit and we are already looking forward to next year.
The players always enjoy kick-starting the PGA TOUR season in Hawaii and this year was no exception.
Kapalua is a great place to start the season and really get some positive energy going for the year, said defending U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, who closed with a tournament best 62 in the final round to finish third.
Ive always enjoyed starting the season at Kapalua and bringing my entire family here. Its just one of the best places in the world and I really had a great week, commented Ernie Els, who finished in a tie for 17th.
I love coming to Hawaii and all the players look at this tournament as a treat and reward to play here. The strong winds and undulations of the Plantation course are just different from anything we regularly play, so its a great place to kick-off the year, said Matt Kuchar, who had a strong week finishing in a tie for sixth.
Hyundais sponsorship of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions continues its Big Voices in Big Places marketing strategy, positioning the Hyundai brand in the highest profile advertising venues including the PGA TOUR, NFLs Super Bowl, an exclusive automotive sponsorship of the Academy Awards and a global sponsorship of FIFA World Cup.