Mitsubishi Electric announced today that it has signed a global sponsorship agreement with World Golf Hall of Fame member, PGA TOUR and Champions Tour golfer, Tom Watson. As part of the agreement, Watson will display the Mitsubishi Electric corporate logo on his hat.

Watson will wear the Mitsubishi Electric logo starting this week at the 144th Open Championship at St. Andrews. This event has special significance for Watson, as it will be the 40th anniversary of his first Open win in 1975 at Carnoustie. It could also be the last Open Championship of his career. The R&A granted Watson a special exemption to play in this year’s event. Watson holds The Open record for the most wins on links courses, winning five times, but he has never won at St. Andrews, the site of this year’s event.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, a global engineering and manufacturing company with major offices in the U.S., Europe, Asia, China, South America and Japan, is proud to align itself with Watson and have him represent the company as it continues to support major competitive golf around the world.

“I’ve known the Mitsubishi Electric folks since they became the title sponsor at Hualalai in 2009 and have always appreciated their strong support of the Champions Tour and PGA TOUR,” said Watson. “I’m pleased to represent such a high-quality company, very much recognizing the value of reputations and longevity in any competitive arena. I look forward to a productive and fun association with Mitsubishi Electric colleagues here and in Japan.”

The sponsorship will promote the Mitsubishi Electric corporate brand worldwide. Mitsubishi Electric will also explore other partner and community engagement opportunities with Watson.

“Tom Watson is a celebrated golfer with a remarkable career of impressive accomplishments on the world golf stage,” added Kiyoshi Furukawa, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Electric US Holdings, Inc. “His association with our company can only bolster our global reputation. We are very proud to have him as a member of the Mitsubishi Electric family.”

Tom Watson

Elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1988, Tom Watson has amassed 39 career PGA TOUR victories and eight major championships, five of which were at The Open Championship. A six-time PGA Player of the Year and five-time leading money winner, Watson held the spot as the #1 player in the world from 1978 to 1982. A fiery competitor throughout his career, Watson played on four Ryder Cup teams and was the captain in 1993 and 2014. Since joining the Champions Tour, Watson has 14 victories, including six major championships, and was the Charles Schwab Cup Champion in 2003 and 2005.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

With more than 90 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment. Embracing the spirit of its corporate statement, Changes for the Better, and its environmental statement, Eco Changes, Mitsubishi Electric endeavors to be a global, leading green company, enriching society with technology. The company recorded consolidated group sales of 4,323.0 billion yen (US$ 36.3 billion*) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. For more information visit http://www.MitsubishiElectric.com

*At an exchange rate of 120 yen to the US dollar, the rate given by the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market on March 31, 2015.

Mitsubishi Electric and the PGA TOUR

Mitsubishi Electric is the Official Large Outdoor Video Display Provider and the Official HVAC products of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour. Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc. Cooling & Heating Division is the presenting sponsor of the Greater Gwinnett Championship. Watson joins Miguel Angel Jimenez as Mitsubishi Electric’s second global, corporate ambassador, and Corey Pavin, Fred Funk, and Fred Couples, who are player ambassadors for Mitsubishi Electric US Cooling & Heating Division.