Companions in Perfection: Rolex’s 50 Years with Golf

For half a century, Rolex’s support for golf and golfers has become one of the most enduring and important partnerships in the world of sport. 

Whether it’s in sport, the arts, exploration or the sciences, the words Rolex and achievement have, over the past century, become inextricably linked. In parallel with its own unrelenting quest for excellence, the Swiss watch manufacture has actively supported individuals and organisations that strive for accomplishment and innovation in all these fields, a perfect illustration being its involvement with the sport of golf at the highest level, a commitment that’s endured for more than 50 years. 

During that time, some of the greatest names in the sport, from Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus to more recent legends such as Tiger Woods, Sir Tom Watson and Bernard Langer – as well
as leading women golfers including Nancy Lopez, Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sörenstam – have all partnered Rolex as Testimonees. Nor does the brand confine itself to supporting established talents: it also inspires generations to come by supporting up-and-coming players through the Rolex New Guard. 

At the same time, Rolex has also teamed up with many of the world’s leading golf tours and competitions, including the four annual Majors tournaments widely considered as being at the pinnacle of the professional game: the Masters Tournament at Augusta, the PGA Championship, the US Open and, the world’s oldest championship, The Open, as well as all five women’s Majors and team competitions that include the Ryder Cup, President’s Cup and Solheim Cup. 

In addition to extending its patronage to many other leading golf tournaments around the world, Rolex has been appointed as Official Timekeeper to numerous major events. Among them is The Open and a 40-year partnership with the USGA, which organises the US Open – and in 2021, the brand was appointed Official Timekeeper and Partner to the PGA Championship, the only Major contested solely by professional players. Rolex’s reach in the sport even extends to the three major tours: the PGA Tour, the DP Tour and the Asian Tour. 

That latter presence in Asia has now been extended to the sport here in Hong Kong, as from this year Rolex has been appointed official timekeeper to the Hong Kong Open. 

No other brand from any sector of industry has enjoyed such a close and enduring relationship with this truly global sport – one that’s enjoyed and played by millions around the world, from beginners
to enthusiastic amateurs to players at the highest level – than Rolex. It’s part of that perpetual striving for excellence that’s underpinned all of the watch brand’s activities from the very beginning.