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.

European Tour chief executive George O’Grady said: “We have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Dubai for the past 25 years and today’s announcement is the perfect way for us to launch the beginning of the next phase of our partnership.”

Meanwhile Henrik Stenson today capped a stunning season by being named 2013 Race to Dubai European Tour golfer of the year.

Stenson, 37, is the first player from Sweden to win the coveted award, after creating history by winning the FedEx Cup and Race to Dubai in the same year, sealing the latter with a commanding victory in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.