Buick no longer sponsoring PGA event at Torrey Pines

Phil Mickelson, 8th Hole, South Course, Torrey Pines (from 'brazen pirate' via Flikr)

It is more than likely that the PGA Tour’s event held at Torrey Pines will not be known as the Buick Invitational as of 2010. General Motors is breaking its ties after a 51-year relationship. The tournament has been sponsored by GM since 1992, but they just cannot afford to sponsor the tournament any longer.

The tour has contracts with Buick to sponsor the tournaments through 2010. Tournament director for the Buick Invitational Tom Wilson headed out to Detroit to meet with Buick officials. There should be a clearer picture after the meetings are all said and done.

Golfer Tom Pernice, who is a member of the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council, confirmed for Golfweek that Buick’s relationship with the tournament was coming to an end.

Buick has supported the tournament for what seems like forever. Since the financial problems escalated for general Motors to where they are today, it really comes as no surprise that the tournament and Buick must break ties.

The national promotions manager for Buick Larry Peck stated that “nothing has been finalized” in Golfweek.

But it still looks like it is the end of the road. Tom Wilson has said that the San Diego tour event, scheduled for the last week in January next year, will go on as expected with or without Buick.