In 1967, Arnold Palmer, followed by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, the trio known as The Big Three, began a successful and lasting relationship with the world of golf. Each of these players forged close ties with Rolex based on shared values, such as perfection, excellence and fair play. Ever since then, the association between Rolex and golf has continued to prosper, spreading all around the world and supporting the best players, major professional tournaments and governing bodies, prestigious team competitions and amateurs events, as well as most prestigious events of the sport. If The Big Three wrote a success story for Rolex and golf, the ‘New Guard’ is now making its mark in grand style, following in the footsteps of the predecessor trio and of Watson, Mickelson and Woods.
Rolex is the Official Watch of the Portugal Masters, the most important golf tournament held in Portugal.
Rolex is the Official Watch of the Portugal Masters, the most important golf tournament held in Portugal.
In the 1980s, Rolex increased its support: the brand became associated with two prestigious tournaments, The Open and the US Open; with the bodies responsible for golf traditions and rules, the R&A and USGA; but also with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). In the decade that followed, new partnerships emerged, in particular with the Masters, the Ryder Cup and the European Tour, as well as with players of great talent, all winners of majors, including Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson and Annika Sörenstam. But ever since 2000 the ties have become even closer. Alongside legends and exceptional talent, the brand has been encouraging men’s and women’s golf on every continent. It is actively committed to encouraging junior and senior categories and promotes a range of circuits, federations, bodies and competitions. By way of example, Rolex has been the Official Watch of the U.S. Open since 1980 and of the U.S. Women’s Open since 2003, and of many other well-known tournaments. And by launching the Rolex Series, in 2017, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the partnership between Rolex and the European Tour, it has once again proved its willingness to strengthen its presence in the golfing world.
Locally, in 2017 the Portuguese Golf Federation and Rolex Portugal signed a protocol, announcing that the watch brand would become the Official Watch of the body. For some years now Rolex has also been the Official Watch of the Portugal Masters, the most important golf tournament held in Portugal.