Chrysler is negotiating with the PGA Tour for a three-event
bonus that could be worth $5M to a golfer that wins all three of
the company's sponsored Tour stops, or $3M for two of three. If
each tournament has a different winner, a point system would
determine a $500,000 winner. The Greater Greensboro Classic and
the Bob Hope Classic are the first two, with Chrysler negotiating
to become title sponsor of the PGA Tour's Tuscon tournament (USA
TODAY, 4/30)....Taylor Made has spent more than $2.2M on its
"storymercial" project, a 30-minute infomercial featuring its
Burner Bubble woods and irons (GOLF WORLD, 4/26 issue)....The
N.Y. TIMES' "By Design" column notes that both Ralph Lauren and
Giorgio Armani have designed new lines of golf wear (N.Y. TIMES,
4/30)....Odyssey Golf President & CEO Michael Magerman estimates
Nick Faldo's Masters win will mean a 30% increase in sales.
Faldo uses an Odyssey putter, but since he is not under contract
with the company, Odyssey can't use his likeness or name in any
ad campaigns. But the company can refer to Faldo's win (GOLF
WORLD, 4/26 issue).
