Mastercard Official Card of The Opem

The Royal and Ancient (R&A) has announced Mastercard as a patron and the official card of the Open Championship.

The four-year deal will come into effect in 2012, where the 141st edition of the oldest and most prestigious Major will be held at Royal Lytham & St Annes in Lancashire.

Financial terms of the agreement were not released.

"We are immensely proud to become a global partner of the Open Championship and thrilled to have the chance to bring golf fans from across the world closer to the games," said Afredo Gangotena, chief marketing officer at Mastercard. "Our association with the Open Championship is a unique opportunity to offer our cardholders priceless access and experiences around the most historic tournament in golf."

R&A director, Mike Tate, added, "We are delighted that Mastercard will become a patron and the official card of the Open Championship from 2012. Mastercard’s expertise, commitment to heightening the fan experience and longstanding association with golf across the world make it a natural partner for the R&A and the Open Championship.”

The new partnership extends and expands the financial services company's association with the sport of golf. Currently Mastercard sponsors several tournaments and organisations, including the PGA Tour and the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and maintains relationships with golfers Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Camilo Villegas, Boo Weekley, Brandt Snedeker, Natalie Gulbis and five-times Open Championship winner and golfing legend Tom Watson.

The Open Championship 2011 gets underway on Thursday 14th July at Royal St George's golf club in Kent. 200,000 spectators are expected to attend the tournament.