Maybin agrees major sponsorship deal

GARETH MAYBIN has plenty of extra incentive to charge into contention on the European Tour this year after signing a sponsorship deal that includes performance-related bonuses of up to $50m (€35.5m).

The 30-year-old Belfast golfer, who made his mark on tour last season with runner-up finishes at both The Ballantine’s Championship and Andalucia Valderrama Masters, has agreed the deal with London-based sports risk advisory Sportsrisq Capital that the company believes to be the largest sponsorship agreement in professional golf.

No details of the payment structure were released but the bonuses will primarily be based on tournament finishing positions and The Race to Dubai rankings, in which Maybin last year finished 40th in his second season on the European Tour. A cumulative effect, says Sportsrisq, would trigger the $50m (€35.5m) payout to the Ballyclare golfer, currently ranked 125 in the world.