WGC Mexico Heading To Bradenton, Needs Sponsor And Probably, A Future Home

According to multiple sources WGC Mexico is relocating to FL (likely Naples) for 2021, and then likely internationally in ‘22 and ‘23 as part of Euro Tour strategic alliance. 3 year deal w/ new sponsor.

Announcement likely this wknd. T’s and P’s up for Grupo Salinas & Geronimo.

— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) January 8, 2021

Tron Carter at NLU had the details first and while the WGC Mexico City is headed to Bradenton’s The Concession due to COVID-19 related “logistical challenges”, the PGA Tour’s press release would suggest the relationship with Grupo Salinas is both continuing and, probably over.

For Immediate Reading Between The Lines:

Due to logistical challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship will not be played in Mexico this year, the PGA TOUR announced in a memo released to players. This year’s event will be conducted Feb. 25-28 at The Concession Golf Club in the Bradenton-Sarasota area in Southwest Florida. There will be no change to the tournament’s eligibility requirements.

The tournament will now kick off a four-week Florida Swing that also features the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, THE PLAYERS Championship and The Honda Classic. 

“The PGA TOUR is grateful for its continued partnership with Grupo Salinas as we navigate the unique challenges created by the pandemic,” said Ty Votaw, PGA TOUR Executive Vice President, International. “While we work toward returning to Mexico in 2022, we are appreciative of the collective effort to bring this event to a worthy venue in The Concession Golf Club, which is renowned as one of the top courses in the state of Florida.”

Returning to Mexico in 2022, so, why all the past tense usage…

For the past four years, the PGA TOUR and Grupo Salinas have fulfilled their commitment to grow golf in Mexico and Latin America, introducing the sport to thousands of new fans. In only four years, The First Tee Mexico, a non-profit organization for children and youth development, now has nine chapters throughout the country and will continue to provide educational programs and support based on key societal values such as honesty, integrity and teamwork. 

With two sold-out editions, the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship has shown to be a world-class event featuring the best players from across the globe.  

This is the part where they are supposed to mention looking forward to welcoming back the world’s best in 2022.

By bringing and hosting the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship, Grupo Salinas has reaffirmed its solid commitment to promote Mexico’s compelling attributes and image before the world, reaching nearly one billion households within over 200 countries and territories. 
 
Given the one-year relocation from Mexico City, the TOUR is working to secure a title sponsor for the 2021 event.  

They fulfilled their mission and they won’t sponsor in 2021. We’ll see if 2022 happens there, or as Carter noted in his original Tweet, this WGC travels to another part of the world as part of the European Tour strategic alliance.