Mercedes driving China golf

PGA Tour Series-China has announced that MercedesBenz has become the tour’s official automobile.

Mercedes-Benz will display its Dream Cars models and V-Class sedans at PGA Tour Series-China events, where the luxurious V-Class sedans will be available to players and fans for test drives.

The new partnership is part of the long-term commitment of Mercedes-Benz to help develop golf in China and globally.

The German car manufacturer sponsors world-class PGA Tour tournaments, including the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, the Masters, the British Open and the PGA Championship — as well as the annual Mercedes Trophy, which was formally introduced into China in 2003.

The company has a strong history of supporting great golfers, including Chinese pioneer Liang Wenchong and rising star Li Haotong.

“The PGA Tour is thrilled to sign Mercedes-Benz as a partner of the PGA Tour Series-China. We recognize both the PGA Tour and Mercedes-Benz as world-class brands, and we couldn’t be more pleased to be associated together,” said Greg Gilligan, PGA Tour vice-president and managing director for Greater China.

“China’s Dou Zecheng and Zhang Xinjun played three PGA Tour Series-China seasons and moved from the Web.com Tour to the PGA Tour, becoming the first players from the Chinese mainland to hold PGA Tour membership, further inspiring the next generation of Chinese golfers.

“The Tour now offers more events and more prize money, so we look to drive onward and upward with MercedesBenz in providing exciting opportunities to aspiring Chinese and international golfers.”

In 2014, PGA Tour SeriesChina began offering a path to the Web.com Tour, and Li took full advantage, earning Player of the Year honors.

World No 43 Li played two seasons on the Web.com Tour and is a regular presence at PGA Tour events, recently becoming the first player from China to play in The Players Championship. The 22-year-old finished 11 shots off winner Brooks Koepka at the US Open on Sunday.