Allianz Returns as Presenting Sponsor
(Ponte Vedra Beach, FL) – This week’s season-opening Mercedes Championships marks the beginning of the ninth year of the West Coast Swing, a competition which rewards the best performer over the first nine tournaments of the new PGA TOUR season. For the second consecutive year, Allianz is the presenting sponsor.
At the conclusion of the West Coast Swing presented by Allianz, a $500,000 winner’s bonus is presented to the player who accumulates the most points based on top-10 finishes in the first nine PGA TOUR events of the season.
Phil Mickelson, who won the FBR Open and AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in back-to-back weeks, won the competition for the third time in 2005. Adam Scott finished runner-up and collected $300,000, while third-place finisher David Toms earned $200,000. Mickelson finished with 203.125 points, while Scott had 160.41 and Toms, 157.500.
"Everyone at Allianz Life is excited that the West Coast Swing presented by Allianz will again open a new PGA TOUR season," said Allianz president/CEO, Mark Zesbaugh. "I’m looking forward to seeing the top-performing professional golfers in the world compete for the King of Swing title. Anyone who seeks to take the crown from Phil Mickelson will have to pass a serious test of nerves and skill and play at the top of their game over the next eight weeks. We’re very pleased to bring this very special competition to golf fans everywhere."
Mickelson also won the competition during its inaugural year of 1998 and again in 2004. Tiger Woods earned the title in 1999-2000, Davis Love III captured the 2001 title, Chris DiMarco in 2002 and Mike Weir won in 2003.
The West Coast Swing consists of the first nine PGA TOUR events of the year.
Date Tournament Location Television
Jan. 2-8 Mercedes Championships Kapalua, HI
ESPN
Jan. 9-15 Sony Open in Hawaii Honolulu, HI
ESPN
Jan. 16-22 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Palm
Desert, CA USA/ABC
Jan. 23-29 Buick Invitational San
Diego, CA USA/CBS
Jan. 30-5 FBR Open Scottsdale, AZ
USA/CBS
Feb. 6-12 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Pebble Beach, CA
USA/CBS
Feb. 13-19 Nissan Open Pacific Palisades, CA
USA/ABC
Feb. 20-26 World Golf Championships-
Accenture Match Play Championship Carlsbad, CA
ESPN/ABC
Chrysler Classic of Tucson Tucson,
AZ USA
About Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) is a leading provider of fixed and variable annuities and life policies, as well as long term care products; in the U.S. The company is the #1 provider of fixed annuities through independent advisers in North America. Allianz Life is also a major provider of health excess of loss services. Allianz Life is one of the primary companies of Allianz SE. Allianz SE employs over 162,000 people worldwide. Founded in 1896, Allianz Life is based in Minneapolis, MN.
Contact:
James Cramer
Director, Public Relations
PGA TOUR
904-273-3293
