In a surprising turn of events, Shriners has announced that it will no longer serve as the title sponsor for the PGA Tour’s annual stop in Las Vegas after an impressive 18-year run. This decision has left many questioning the future of the tournament, which has been a staple on the PGA Tour calendar since 1983.
According to a close source, Bob Roller, the vice president of sports for Shriners, stated, “We have enjoyed a tremendous 18 years as the host and title sponsor of the Shriners Children’s Open. The opportunity to tell our incredible stories of the more than 1.6 million children that have received care from Shriners was, and always is, our primary goal.” However, no specific reason was provided for the organization’s decision to withdraw its sponsorship.
The Tournament’s Rich History
The Las Vegas stop on the PGA Tour has a long and storied history, dating back to 1983 when it began as a five-round event known as the Panasonic Las Vegas Pro-Celebrity Classic. Fuzzy Zoeller emerged victorious in that inaugural tournament, which was held at the Las Vegas Country Club.
In 1984, the event was renamed the Panasonic Las Vegas Invitational and made history by becoming the first PGA Tour event to offer a $1 million prize pool. That year, Zimbabwe’s Denis Watson took home the title.
Notable Winners Throughout the Years
Over the years, the tournament has seen many notable winners, including:
- Greg Norman (1986)
- Paul Azinger (1987)
- Davis Love III (1993)
- Tiger Woods (1996)
Jim Furyk holds the distinction of being the only three-time champion, with wins in 1995, 1998, and 1999. Other multiple winners include Kevin Na (2011, 2019), Scotland’s Martin Laird (2009, 2020), and South Korea’s Tom Kim (2022, 2023).
A Tournament on the Move
Throughout its history, the event has been played at multiple courses in the Las Vegas area, with TPC Summerlin serving as the current host venue. The tournament format was also adjusted in 2004, reducing it from five rounds to the standard 72-hole format.
The 2024 Edition and Beyond
The 2024 Shriners Children’s Open concluded on Sunday, with J.T. Poston securing a one-shot victory over Doug Ghim. However, with Shriners’ departure as title sponsor, it remains unclear whether the event will continue in the future without a new sponsor stepping in to fill the void.
The PGA Tour has seen significant changes in sponsorship recently, with seven events welcoming new title sponsors in 2024 alone. As the Las Vegas stop faces an uncertain future, golf enthusiasts and the local community await news on whether another organization will seize the opportunity to support this long-standing and beloved tournament.
The loss of Shriners as a title sponsor marks the end of an era for the Las Vegas event, which has provided thrilling moments and showcased some of golf’s biggest names over the past four decades. As the PGA Tour and local organizers navigate this transition, fans can only hope that the tournament will secure a new sponsor and continue its rich legacy in the years to come.
