Mercedes-Benz Extends Historic Partnership With The R&A

Some Things Just Go Together

Greatness pairs best with greatness. So it should not come as a surprise that Mercedes-Benz has extended its partnership with The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, or simply, the R&A. It's hard to believe Mercedes-Benz has only been the official partner since 2011, as both the Tri-Star and The Old Course are deeply rooted in their own histories. The Old Course at St. Andrew's Links is known as the home of golf, and in many ways, Mercedes-Benz is the home of the car.

Throwback Thursday

As round 1 of The Open tees off on Thursday, time for a #tbt. It was 1886 when Carl Benz first applied for the patent for his original Motor Car -- widely thought to be the first automobile. The inaugural Open Championship, meanwhile, was played in 1860, nearly 30 years before Carl Benz's Patent Motor Car. It's absolutely bonkers to think that when this great golf tradition began, the idea of the automobile was a mere concept. 150 years later, the game of golf has seen a meteoric rise, and Mercedes-Benz enjoys a spot as one of the foremost automotive companies in the world -- both on the track and on the road.

Sustaining Tradition

If you played golf with the same clubs used in the inaugural Open Championship in 1860 while playing against someone using a modern-day titanium or carbon-faced driver and a set of blade irons, the difference is going to be obvious really quick. In the same respect, we have come a long way since Carl Benz's Patent Motor Wagen. Today, electric vehicles are becoming more mainstream by the day. Sustainability and carbon neutrality is at the top of the minds of car makers and their partners. 

"We are delighted to have a partner like Mercedes‑Benz at our side," said Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A. "Together, we want to continue to pursue our sustainability ambitions.”

Getting Around in Style

One of the best parts of being a tour-level pro golfer is getting to drive a new car every week. While players, staff, and distinguished guests often get luxury cars at tournaments, it's not every tournament they get to drive the Mercedes EQ EVs. Mercedes is providing 100 all-electric vehicles in its patron fleet.

"The Open is the perfect platform to present our understanding of sustainable luxury and the mobility of the future to the golf world," said Bettina Fetzer, Head of Communications and Marketing at Mercedes‑Benz AG. 

Worthy of The Claret Jug

To the victor go the spoils. As is tradition, the defending Open Champion of the Year is asked to deliver The Claret Jug back to the R&A as the new battle begins. 2021 Open Champion of the Year Collin Morikawa drove up to St. Andrew's Links in the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV to hand over The Claret jug. Both the 8th-ranked golfer in the world and the trophy most assuredly had a nice ride over. More than 300,000 fans are expected to take in all the action this weekend at St. Andrew's Links as Morikawa looks to bring The Claret Jug home for another year. 

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