It is not uncommon in all pro sports for sponsors to drop players when they are competing poorly over an extended period of time.
Well, not in the case of Scotland’s Marc Warren who brilliantly celebrated a European Tour return to golf in ending a six-year winless drought to capture the Austrian Open.
Warren, 39 birdied two of his closing four in a score of 70 to win by a shot at 14-under par on the Diamond Resort course at Atzenbrugg and some 35 miles from Vienna.
Warren’s victory is the Scot’s first win in a month under six years since capturing a third Tour victory at the 2014 Made In Denmark.
The proud Glaswegian won by carrying his own Callaway bag for four rounds after full-time caddy, Kenny Herring was ruled out after failing to receive the results of a compulsory Covid-19 test and with no other caddy available.
Warren teed-up in Austria ranked 1,258th on the World Rankings and the lowest he’s been since making his European Tour pro debut at the 2001 Scottish PGA.
That statistic alone could be enough for sponsors to severe ties with their client but not Callaway Europe and also Aberdeen Standard Investments who have stood by the Scot not only in times of delight but in the days, weeks, months and years since Warren ahead of him winning last Sunday.
“Callaway and Aberdeen Standard have always fought my corner,” said Warren.
“Not once in speaking to either Pete Harrison at Callaway (Director of Tour Operations) and Martin Gilbert at ASI (Retiring CEO and Vice- Chairman) has there ever been a ny doubt about my plahying ability or what I want to do in the game.
“It’s in the tough times that you appreciate that support and I am both satisfied and proud to give them a small something back.
“The support I’ve received from both has been incredible and you definitely appreciate it more as you go through tough times. When you are doing well, sponsors can come and go.
“Honestly, I can’t say enough about them. I’m very lucky to have great friends and family around me, but to have a sponsors like I have is amazing.”
Well said, Marc and great support Callaway Golf and Aberdeen Standard Investments.
