Geneva, 30 March 2023 – Rolex and golf share a mutual appreciation for tradition and unfaltering precision, as well as a timeless emphasis on integrity, respect and elegance both on and off the course. For more than 50 years, the bond between Rolex and golf has evolved through pivotal partnerships, which have further cemented Rolex’s place at the heart of the game. The Masters Tournament, the first men’s Major of the season, has inspired and witnessed some of the most memorable moments in the game’s history since the inaugural Tournament in 1934. Staged from 6–9 April 2023, the world’s leading golfers will once more compete for the coveted Green Jacket at the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, United States. Rolex also partners with the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship, inaugurated in 2019 and featuring the world’s leading amateur women players.
Steeped in history and tradition, the Masters Tournament is synonymous with prestige and unique among the four men’s Majors with it being an invitational event that is staged at the same venue every year. The revered Tournament, which will celebrate its 87th edition in 2023, is known for its pristine conditions, azalea-lined fairways and manicured greens. Rolex has a deep affiliation with the Masters, first partnering with the Tournament in 1999 and having been an International Partner since 2008. Its Testimonees have enjoyed a proud history of success at Augusta National and Scottie Scheffler from the United States will be looking to defend his title following his first Major victory in 2022. Reflecting on last year’s triumph, Rolex Testimonee Scottie Scheffler said: “Putting on the Green Jacket was pretty special. It was something that I have always dreamed of doing so it was really surreal when it actually happened. I think for me, even now, it hasn’t fully sunk in. In that moment, when it was being put on me, it was so special. It is something that will never be able to be taken away from me. I will always be a Masters champion and when it comes to looking back at the history of golf, I will be able to find my name there alongside Jordan Spieth, Tiger Woods and other greats of the game.”
2023 marks 60 years since Jack Nicklaus won the first of his six Masters Tournaments (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986). The American holds the record for the most victories at the Masters with fellow Rolex Testimonees Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods close behind with four and five, respectively. Speaking ahead of this year’s event, Jack Nicklaus said: “When I first won The Masters, I was only 23 years old. Back then, the cherished prize was the Green Jacket. It had always been a dream of mine to win the Masters Tournament. Bobby Jones, who founded and designed the Augusta National Golf Club, and co-founded the Masters Tournament, was someone I admired. The thought that went into creating such a tournament was unbelievable. The Green Jacket is a symbol of the tradition and prestige and for that reason, I love it.”
“Every year that I attend, I am always blown away by the magnificence of it. The Masters Tournament is special and it is incredible to achieve success at an event of such prestige. In 2019, it was an iconic moment for Tiger Woods to claim his 15th Major win, when he finished with a two-under-par 70 to win on 13 under. In 2021, Hideki Matsuyama being the first Asian and first Japanese player to win the Masters was an amazing achievement as well. When Scottie Scheffler won in 2022 where he hit some fantastic recovery shots that enabled him to win. He is a brilliant young and talented player who has developed into one of the leading players within the game of golf.”
Reflecting on the significance of the Masters Tournament, Tiger Woods said: “There is nothing better than putting on the Green Jacket in both the Butler Cabin and in the presentation ceremony following the final round at the Masters Tournaments. It is the pinnacle of golf and why that Jacket is one of the most coveted possessions in our sport. It truly is an incredible feeling to have worn it five times.”
2023 will see Rolex Testimonee Adam Scott celebrate 10 years since his maiden victory at Augusta in 2013. With this triumph, Scott claimed his first Major championship and became the first – and to date only – Australian to win the Masters. Adam Scott said: “A lot of things in my life have changed since I won the Masters in 2013, but I am continuing to change parts of my game and routine ahead of Majors. I am lucky that I can pick and choose my schedule to a degree, so this will definitely help my preparation, but the most important thing is momentum.” This year’s edition also marks 30 years since Rolex Testimonee Bernhard Langer won the 1993 Masters Tournament – his second championship at Augusta National.
Rolex’s relationship with the game dates back to 1967 when Arnold Palmer, joined by close friends and fellow members of The Big Three, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, became Rolex’s first golf Testimonees. Since then, Rolex’s association with golf has grown exponentially, permeating all levels of the sport, providing unwavering support for elite and amateur players alike, governing bodies, all the Major championships and the main professional tours, as well as the finest events on the golfing calendar.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
ABOUT ROLEX AND GOLF
Rolex is committed to the permanent quest for excellence in all its endeavours and has been a long-term supporter of golf in its pursuit of the same. The brand’s enduring relationship with the sport began more than 50 years ago, in 1967, when Arnold Palmer, joined by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, became the brand’s first golfing Testimonees. Known together as The Big Three, these legendary players changed the face of golf forever, and their partnership with Rolex marked the beginning of a relationship based on the shared commitment to continuous improvement and unwavering precision. Since then, the affiliation has grown and flourished, permeating every level of the game worldwide. From elite players and golf legends to all the game’s Major championships, where success represents the pinnacle of achievement in the sport, as well as the foremost professional tours and worldwide amateur championships, Rolex is ever-present.
Rolex is deeply committed to the amateur game, and is a partner of important amateur tournaments across the globe, including the ground-breaking Augusta National Women’s Championship launched in 2019, The British Amateur Championship, U.S. Amateur Championship, European Amateur Championship, Asia Pacific Amateur Championship, Latin America Amateur Championship and Women’s Amateur Latin America Championship. Rolex also supports the leading amateur team competitions, the Arnold Palmer Cup, Walker Cup, Curtis Cup and World Amateur Team Championship. The Swiss manufacturer’s support for the game is built on a strong sense of integrity and respect for tradition that promote the continuity of expertise and transfer of knowledge, and an understanding of the importance of investing in the sport’s development for future generations.
ABOUT ROLEX
AN UNRIVALLED REPUTATION FOR QUALITY AND EXPERTISE
Rolex is an integrated and independent Swiss watch manufacture. Headquartered in Geneva, the brand is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products – symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The movements of its Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches are certified by COSC, then tested in-house for their precision, performance and reliability. The Superlative Chronometer certification, symbolized by the green seal, confirms that each watch has successfully undergone tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria. These are periodically validated by an independent external organization.
The word “Perpetual” is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster watch. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. In the course of its history, Rolex has registered over 500 patents. At its four sites in Switzerland, the brand designs, develops and produces the majority of its watch components, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Furthermore, the brand is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.
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MEDIA CONTACT
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Rolex SA
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rEvolution
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