SOMETIMES in the world of sport, the sponsorship of an athlete can change
the course of things. It makes the difference between money well spent or
money flushed down the drain.
It is also a shrewd business decision.
That was the case with Lee Westwood and Saujana Golf and Country Club.
When Saujana announced their sponsorship with Westwood after he won the
Malaysian Open this year, cynics had their doubts as they felt it was an
unwise move.
How wrong they were. In September, Westwood partnered Darren Clarke to
win the Ryder Cup for Europe in Valderama, Spain, and started the uphill
climb in style.
The winner of the Volvo Masters in Spain and Taiheiyo Masters in Japan
then beat Greg Norman at his own backyard on the fourth playoff hole in
the Australian Open.
Norman was cruising two shots ahead with two holes to play before
suffering bogeys at the 17th and 18th. He missed a putt from five feet on
the fourth playoff hole for a bogey to Westwood's par.
When asked what was on his mind during the Australian Open sudden death:
"Not much really, I was just concentrating on the job at hand and was
pretty cool because I knew it could swing either way and the worse that
could happen is that I finish second.
"Maybe I was just lucky", said Westwood.
Luck or not, Westwood's win boosted his world rankings from 27th to 23rd
and confirmed what had been apparent to seasoned observers. Westwood is
ready to join Collin Montgomerie among the successors of Nick Faldo,
Bernhard Langer, Seve Ballesteros and Ian Woosnam.
In fact other than Tiger Woods, Westwood has hogged the headlines in
golf and this has helped Malaysia greatly.
Westwood's sponsorship deal with the Club requires him to wear the club
insignia on his sleeve and on his golfing bag, the words Visit Malaysia
are boldly displayed.
"In a way, the sponsorship had benefitted both parties - right now when
the media interview me, I say that I am from Saujana and the Visit
Malaysia logo promotes Malaysia as well. It is a great relationship."
The Club's foresight in backing Westwood, reminds one of Nike's
brilliant move to invest US$40 million on Tiger Woods when he was just
turning pro. Although Woods was the three-time American amateur champion,
still no sponsors were prepared to put such a big sum on the golfer. Nike
did. Saujana did too, and Malaysia has come out winners.
"When I played at the recent US Open and reached the ninth hole, which
is one of the longest, some guy saw the Visit Malaysia logo on my bag and
remarked 'well, this is certainly the longest, its going all the way to
Malaysia'."
(END)
the course of things. It makes the difference between money well spent or
money flushed down the drain.
It is also a shrewd business decision.
That was the case with Lee Westwood and Saujana Golf and Country Club.
When Saujana announced their sponsorship with Westwood after he won the
Malaysian Open this year, cynics had their doubts as they felt it was an
unwise move.
How wrong they were. In September, Westwood partnered Darren Clarke to
win the Ryder Cup for Europe in Valderama, Spain, and started the uphill
climb in style.
The winner of the Volvo Masters in Spain and Taiheiyo Masters in Japan
then beat Greg Norman at his own backyard on the fourth playoff hole in
the Australian Open.
Norman was cruising two shots ahead with two holes to play before
suffering bogeys at the 17th and 18th. He missed a putt from five feet on
the fourth playoff hole for a bogey to Westwood's par.
When asked what was on his mind during the Australian Open sudden death:
"Not much really, I was just concentrating on the job at hand and was
pretty cool because I knew it could swing either way and the worse that
could happen is that I finish second.
"Maybe I was just lucky", said Westwood.
Luck or not, Westwood's win boosted his world rankings from 27th to 23rd
and confirmed what had been apparent to seasoned observers. Westwood is
ready to join Collin Montgomerie among the successors of Nick Faldo,
Bernhard Langer, Seve Ballesteros and Ian Woosnam.
In fact other than Tiger Woods, Westwood has hogged the headlines in
golf and this has helped Malaysia greatly.
Westwood's sponsorship deal with the Club requires him to wear the club
insignia on his sleeve and on his golfing bag, the words Visit Malaysia
are boldly displayed.
"In a way, the sponsorship had benefitted both parties - right now when
the media interview me, I say that I am from Saujana and the Visit
Malaysia logo promotes Malaysia as well. It is a great relationship."
The Club's foresight in backing Westwood, reminds one of Nike's
brilliant move to invest US$40 million on Tiger Woods when he was just
turning pro. Although Woods was the three-time American amateur champion,
still no sponsors were prepared to put such a big sum on the golfer. Nike
did. Saujana did too, and Malaysia has come out winners.
"When I played at the recent US Open and reached the ninth hole, which
is one of the longest, some guy saw the Visit Malaysia logo on my bag and
remarked 'well, this is certainly the longest, its going all the way to
Malaysia'."
(END)
