PGA Tour Exec VP/Communications & Int'l Affairs Ty Votaw "would not comment on any discussions" the Tour has had with Hyundai after reports surfaced that the Korean automaker was "going to sign a deal approaching $100 million" with the Tour, according to Alex Miceli of GOLFWEEK. Hyundai's commitment "would include a six-year extension as title sponsor at Kapalua, an umbrella sponsorship of the developmental Nationwide Tour, serving as official car of the PGA Tour and a sponsor of the 2015 Presidents Cup in South Korea." Hyundai Motor America VP/Marketing Steve Shannon said, "I will say that we had a brief discussion with the PGA Tour about this idea of the Nationwide Tour and of the official car. It's a very good opportunity for somebody. It's a really nice asset. The question of course for us is, 'Is it right for Hyundai?' and we're going to think about it." Shannon also said that it "was likely that Hyundai would make a decision by late April or early May about tournament sponsorship" (GOLFWEEK.com, 1/15). GOLF WORLD MONDAY's Dave Shedloski notes there is a "long way to go before any deal -- with Hyundai or another suitor -- is finalized" to title sponsor the Nationwide Tour, but it "looks as if Hyundai might get deeper into golf." The automaker "might seek an extension" of its entitlement to the season-opening Tournament of Champions, and the '15 Presidents Cup "seems like a logical place to perhaps park extra investment in the game" (GOLF WORLD MONDAY, 1/16 issue).
