Business of Sport
Aiken signs Dunlop deal
2011-07-15 13:51
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Johannesburg - Dunlop has announced that South African Thomas Aiken has signed as an official ambassador, endorsing The Dunlop Collection range of golf apparel and will also be carrying Dunlop’s new staff bag on Tour.
The 27 year old from Johannesburg, who is managed by International Sports Management was named South African Amateur of the Year in 2001, turned professional in 2002 and has so far recorded nine career wins.
Starting his professional career on the South African Sunshine Tour, Aiken clocked seven wins before moving onto the National Tour in 2007.
In 2008, Aiken gained his European Tour card and by 2009 had registered his first top ten finish on the tour when he tied 4th in the Alfred Dunhill Championship breaking the course record with a third round 61 in the process.
In May 2011 Aiken won his first event on the European Tour at the Open de Espana by two strokes over Anders Hansen - on winning, Aiken dedicated his victory to Seve Ballesteros who had died the previous day.
Dunlop has a rich golfing heritage established in 1909 with the creation of their first ball. Sunny Singh, head of sports marketing for Dunlop, said: ‘We are very pleased that Thomas has chosen to join the Dunlop Tour team’.
‘Thomas’ win at the Open de Espana earlier this year was a real sign of his ability and we look forward to supporting him in as he reaches new heights on both the European and World stage’.