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Home , Anna Nordqvist, Lexi Thompson, LPGA, The Evian Championship

PRESS RELEASE

25 YEARS SINCE ITS INCEPTION, CONTINUES TO CHAMPION WOMEN’S WITH ROLEX AS A MAJOR SPONSOR

Geneva, Switzerland, 22 July 2019 – From 25–28 July, the world’s elite women golfers will gather in the picturesque surroundings of Évian-les-Bains to contest the ’s penultimate Major, The Evian Championship, which is celebrating 25 years since being founded in 1994.

Nestled between Lake Geneva and the French Alps, the Evian Resort is renowned as one of the most beautiful yet challenging courses in the world. Narrow, undulating fairways, dense rough and sparkling white bunkers protecting the greens provide a stern test for even the most accomplished golfers, requiring pinpoint accuracy and unwavering consistency under extreme pressure. These are qualities synonymous with Rolex and its dedication to perpetual excellence. The brand has been a Major Sponsor of the event since 2000.

For more than 50 years Rolex has developed one of the most enduring relationships between a brand and sport, becoming part of the fabric of the game as one of its most loyal supporters. Rolex has been a partner of the LPGA since 1980 and is the Official Timekeeper of all five women’s Majors.

Rolex also supports legends of the women’s game, including , and two-time winner of The Evian Championship, Annika Sörenstam.

RETURN of the CHAMPIONS Past champions returning to play at Évian-les-Bains in 2019 include Rolex Testimonees and .

When Ko won the title in 2015, aged just 18, she became the youngest woman to win a Major championship.

Two years later it was the turn of fellow Testimonee Anna Nordqvist. The Swede’s dramatic victory in 2017 highlighted her mental strength, winning on the first hole of a sudden-death in driving rain and difficult playing conditions.

ROLEX NEW GUARD Joining Nordqvist and Ko in Évian-les-Bains will be fellow members of the Rolex family of Testimonees, namely Maria Fassi, and . Alongside Ko, these young golfers are part of the Rolex New Guard, a generation of players asserting their authority at the forefront of the game and inspiring players of the future.

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Playing at the Evian Resort for the first time as a professional, Fassi is one of the most exciting and dynamic new talents in the women’s game. The Mexican turned professional in 2019 after a stellar amateur career, most notably finishing runner-up at the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship earlier this year.

Speaking ahead of The Evian Championship, Fassi said: “I’m really excited to play at The Evian Championship, where women’s golf is celebrated unlike anywhere else. The support Rolex, and this tournament, have provided to the women’s game is incredible.”

Canadian 21-year-old Henderson and 24-year-old Thompson from the will arrive with the confidence of recent winners, both recording victories on the LPGA Tour in June; Henderson with her 13th professional victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic, and Thompson with her 14th professional win at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.

Speaking ahead of event, Director of The Evian Championship, Jacques Bungert, said: “Twenty-five years ago we founded this tournament to be a showcase of women’s golf in . As we look back at our history, we are indebted to Rolex, a loyal partner of ours for 19 years, and we look forward to the future with them by our side.”

END notes to editors

ROLEX TESTIMONEE WINNERS OF THE EVIAN CHAMPIONSHIP Annika Sörenstam (2000, 2002) Lydia Ko (2015) Anna Nordqvist (2017)

ROLEX TESTIMONEES ENTERED IN THE EVIAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 Maria Fassi Brooke Henderson Lydia Ko Anna Nordqvist Lexi Thompson

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ABOUT ROLEX An unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise

Rolex, a Swiss watch manufacture headquartered in Geneva, is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products. Its Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches, all certified as Superlative Chronometers for their precision, performance and reliability, are symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The word “Perpetual” is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. Rolex has registered over 500 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in- house the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Furthermore, Rolex is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE www.rolex.com

ROLEX GOLF PRESS ROOM https://pressroom.rolex.com/en/sports-and- culture/partnership-activities/rolex-and-golf. html

MEDIA CONTACTS Rolex SA Virginie Chevailler [email protected] +41 22 302 26 19 rEvolution Merrick Haydon [email protected] +44 7748 186 833

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