Emirates strengthens Tour links

Golf’s European Tour received a financial boost yesterday when Emirates signed up as its airline partner and agreed to double the number of tournaments in which it invests.

In a four-year deal, the Dubai-based airline said it would support a further 10 events, in addition to the nine it was already involved with. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world, and as a global sponsorship platform, it has been immensely successful for us,” Nigel Hopkins, Emirates executive vice-president.