Bridgestone Open Winner to be invited to World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational
Tokyo (September 24, 2009)-Bridgestone Corporation announced today that it had reached an agreement with the PGA TOUR*1 and the International Federation of PGA Tours*2 that the winner of the Bridgestone Open Golf Tournament to be held in Japan October 22 through 25, 2009, will be eligible to compete in the 2010 World Golf Championships (WGC)*2 -Bridgestone Invitational.
The Bridgestone Invitational is one of four events in the World Golf Championships series. Golfers invited to compete in this international golf tournament represent the world’s highest ranked players and certain tournament winners from a limited number of worldwide tours*3. The tournament is held each year at the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, U.S.A. The 2009 Bridgestone Invitational was captured by Tiger Woods this past August; his most recent victory at the legendary Firestone Country Club represents the seventh time he has won the tournament. The 2010 Bridgestone Invitational will be held August 5 through 8.
The Bridgestone Open is held at the Sodegaura Country Club in Chiba Prefecture, and this year will mark the tournament’s 38th year. Each year, the winner of the Bridgestone Open Tournament will be eligible to compete in the following year’s Bridgestone Invitational.
Bridgestone Corporation, which began manufacturing golf balls in 1935, has a long and successful history in the world of sports. Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd., was established in 1972 with an emphasis on sales of golf goods in the Japanese market. Bridgestone Sports entered the U.S. market in 1983 and sells its products under the Precept and Bridgestone Golf brand names.
| 1. Dates: | Qualifying Rounds: October 22-23, 2009 Final Rounds: October 24-25, 2009 |
|---|---|
| 2. Course: | Sodegaura Country Club (Sodegaura Course) 567 Heta-cho, Midori-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba (Tel: +81-43-291-1111) |
| 3. Purse: | ¥150 million (First place: ¥30 million) |
| 4. Official site: | http://www.bs-open.com/ *Japanese language only |
*1. PGA TOUR:
The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers. Its primary purpose is to expand the PGA TOUR domestically and internationally so as to substantially increase player financial benefits while maintaining our commitment to growth in charity and integrity to the game.
In 2009, the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour together are competing in 100 events offering more than $350 million in prize money. Tournaments will be held in 10 countries outside the U.S. and in 35 states.
In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, TOUR events also generate significant funds for local charities. In fact, the three Tours have surpassed the $1 billion mark in overall charitable contributions. The PGA TOUR's web site address is www.pgatour.com and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
*2. International Federation of PGA Tours/WGC: World Golf Championships
The International Federation of PGA Tours was formed in 1996 by golf’s five world governing bodies - the European Tour, Japan Golf Tour Organization, PGA TOUR, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour (South Africa) with the purpose of providing a forum for the world’s professional golf organizations to discuss issues of mutual importance and, together, develop and promote the game of golf on a global basis. The Asian Tour joined the Federation in November 1999. As part of its mission, the Federation initiated the World Golf Championships in 1999. The Federation was expanded in June 2009 and now includes the Asian Tour, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA TOUR, PGA Tour of Australasia, Sunshine Tour, China Golf Association, Korea Professional Golf Tour Corp., Professional Golf Tour of India, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour, Australian Ladies Professional Golf Tour, Japan LPGA, Korean LPGA and the Ladies Asian Golf Tour.
*3. 2010 Bridgestone Invitational Eligibility Requirements
Players ranked among the top 50 on the Official World Golf Rankings as of July 26, 2010
Players ranked among the top 50 on the Official World Golf Rankings as of August 2, 2010
Playing members of the 2009 United States and International Presidents Cup teams
Playing members of the 2008 United States and European Ryder Cup teams
Tournament winners of worldwide events since the 2009 Bridgestone Invitational with an Official
World Golf Ranking Strength of Field Rating of 115 points or more
Winners of the following tournaments
2009 Bridgestone Open on the Japan Golf Tour
2010 UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship Shishido Hills (Japan Golf Tour)
2009 Australian PGA Championship (PGA Tour of Australasia)
2010 Vodacom Championship (Sunshine Tour)
2009 Volvo Masters of Asia (Asian Tour)
