World War II and 9/11 are the only things that have kept the best European and American golfers from squaring off against each other every two years since the late 1920s in the Ryder Cup.

Though it has such big names as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Nick Faldo, Tiger Woods and Colin Montgomerie involved and been around for 85 years, the Ryder Cup has never had a worldwide sponsor—until now.

Scotland’s Standard Life Investments has signed on to fill that spot for the next two Cups, Reuters reports. "This announcement follows the launch of the unified Ryder Cup global brand identity and the stated aim of Ryder Cup Europe and the PGA of America to secure global partnerships going forward," said Pete Bevacqua, chief executive officer of the PGA of America. The tournament is one of the sport's biggest, reaching up to 500 million daily TV viewers in 183 countries. Continue reading...

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Most of the world’s best golfers are hanging out in the suburbs of Chicago this weekend, but they're not there to share a cold one and reminisce about good times. It’s the 39th Ryder Cup, the golf tournament that features the best players in Europe taking on their American counterparts every two years. 

The tourney, featuring such pros as Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy, and Jim Furyk, kicked off Friday and should finish up on Sunday, barring any unforeseen incidents. It is one of the few events that pro golfers team up to play rather than competing as individuals. Europe has won all but two of the events since 1995, but the Americans have the home-course advantage this time around.

Economies can be crumbling. Hemlines can be rising. Icebergs can be melting. But pretty much nothing stops these two sides from doing battle for bragging rights. After all, there is no prize money involved. It’s all about pride. And this time around, everybody around will be sporting new Ryder Cup logos, which was designed by the folks at Interbrand, which just happens to own brandchannel, as part of a brand refresh to help this tourney stand apart from all the endless rest.Continue reading...

In a move the PGA says will "unify the brand and strengthen the alliance between the two organizing bodies," the renowned Ryder Cup is getting an image makeover: a new brand logo.

Resembling a shield or coat of arms, the just-revealed logo carries an interpretation of the U.S. flag on the left and the European flag on the right, surrounding an image of the golden cup that is presented to the tournament winner. "RYDER CUP" is prominently displayed in a banner running horizontally across the shield.

Ryder Cup Europe and The PGA of America collaborated on the logo, which was designed by Interbrand.

David Martin, President of Interbrand New York and leader of its golf practice, said, "We all believed in the power of the brand; that it was time to make the Ryder Cup brand more broadly relevant to more than the passionate golf fan. ...The Ryder Cup is a competition that has longevity, and the consensus of all within the project was that its brand must be powerful to withstand any challenge. The power of the shield is a mark that has a contemporary feel to it."Continue reading...

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