HSBC Named 'Official Banking Partner' of The Open

British bank, HSBC, has been named the ‘Official Banking Partner’ of The Open Championship for the next five years. The announcement was made earlier today with (L-R) Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship at HSBC, Louis Oosthuizen, current Open Champion, and Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A at HSBC's head office in London.

The R&A’s Chief Executive, Peter Dawson said: “We are very pleased to welcome HSBC. The Open is golf’s oldest Major Championship and its most international. For many years, The R&A has looked to establish relationships that help golf’s growth globally. As The R&A seeks to engage in and support activities to grow the game, a partnership with ‘the world’s local bank’ is a natural progression.”

Over the last five years, HSBC has been a heavy supporter of golf in Asia with the creation of the HSBC Champions in China, a $7,000,000 tournament that achieved WGC status in 2009. In conjunction with this, it has created a grassroots programs in China aimed at increasing interest and participation in the game.

Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship at HSBC commented: “The Open Championship is, without a doubt, one of the world’s most important golf tournaments and HSBC is very honoured to become a Patron. Golf sponsorship continues to be an important investment tool for us to grow and sustain our business and brand. This new partnership is an exciting opportunity to take our current activity with professional and grassroots golf in both established and emerging markets to a new level.”