ISPS Handa becomes title partner of the Senior Open

ISPS HANDA becomes title partner of Europe’s only Senior Major Championship

• Ambassador Pádraig Harrington is confirmed to make his fourth Senior Open appearance

• Sunningdale to host the ISPS HANDA Senior Open for a fourth time this summer

KJ Choi will defend his title at Sunningdale this July (Photo ©Matt Hooper)

ISPS HANDA has extended its involvement in global golf by becoming title partner of The Senior Open ahead of this year’s staging at Sunningdale, from July 24-27, 2025.

The ISPS HANDA Senior Open, Europe’s only Senior Major Championship, will return to the Berkshire venue for a fourth time, with a star-studded field of golfing legends set to compete on the Old Course for a prize fund of $2.85million. Tickets are now on sale to see some of golf’s most renowned names in action, click here to purchase.

ISPS HANDA, founded in 2006 by the Japanese philanthropist Dr. Haruhisa Handa, is a long-term partner of professional and amateur golf, as well as a wide array of other sports. Through these events, ISPS HANDA promotes the ethos that sport has the power to unite and inspire communities around the world and has sponsored European Tour group events worldwide since 2013.

ISPS HANDA Ambassador and three-time Major Champion Pádraig Harrington is confirmed for the 2025 ISPS HANDA Senior Open, joining defending champion K.J. Choi and 12-time Senior Major winner Bernhard Langer in the field which will include a host of Ryder Cup stars, Major Champions and winners from the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR, as well as the Legends Tour and PGA TOUR Champions.

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This year’s ISPS HANDA Senior Open will also feature a Birdie Challenge with the aim of raising at least $50,000 to help introduce golf to children in Battambang in Cambodia.

Dr Haruhisa Handa, ISPS HANDA Founder and Chairman, said: “ISPS HANDA is delighted to become the title partner of this iconic championship — one of the great tournaments in global golf, played at some of the sport’s most historic and inspiring venues.”

“At ISPS Handa, we believe deeply in the power of sport to inspire, to unite, and to transform lives. Golf, in particular, stands as a powerful poster for that vision. It transcends boundaries, fosters inclusion, and empowers people of all backgrounds and abilities.”

“We are very pleased to continue and strengthen our partnership with The R&A and the European Tour group and we look forward to working together to deliver not only an exceptional championship, but also a celebration of what sport can achieve when it is driven by purpose and heart.”

The Senior Open, jointly administered by The R&A and the European Tour group, has an esteemed roll of honour which includes the likes of 12-time Senior Major winner Bernhard Langer and fellow Major Champions Darren Clarke, Tom Watson and Fred Couples. In 2022, Clarke became just the fourth player in history to win both The Open and Senior Open, joining Watson, Gary Player and Bob Charles.

The championship is co-sanctioned by the Legends Tour and PGA TOUR Champions and counts on both the Legends Tour Order of Merit and the Schwab Cup.

Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “ISPS HANDA has been a passionate supporter of professional and amateur golf for a number of years now and we are grateful that they have decided to extend their investment in the sport in becoming the new title sponsor of The Senior Open.

“We are looking forward to another exciting championship this summer as The Senior Open returns to Sunningdale, a world-class venue which the players will relish the challenge of as they compete for the title over its renowned Old Course.”

Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive of the European Tour group, said: “ISPS HANDA provides outstanding support for the game of golf at every level and we are delighted that they will now be extending their involvement by supporting The Senior Open, starting with this year’s championship at Sunningdale.

“Today’s announcement also further strengthens the relationship between ISPS HANDA and the European Tour group and we would like to thank Dr Handa his long-term commitment to us and our sport in general."

The ISPS HANDA Senior Open will feature on Jupiter Golf Network in Japan, with additional coverage on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, Golf Channel and NBC in the United States and several of The R&A and European Tour group’s broadcast partners around the globe.

First played in 1987, The Senior Open has been held on some of the United Kingdom’s most celebrated and historic courses. Sunningdale first hosted the Championship in 2009, when American Loren Roberts defeated compatriot Fred Funk and Irishman Mark McNulty in a play-off.

American Marco Dawson then finished one stroke ahead of Bernhard Langer to claim the Senior Open Trophy in 2015 and in 2021 Stephen Dodd beat Miguel Angel Jiménez by one to win his maiden Senior Major title.

Last year, K.J. Choi made history as he became the first player from South Korea to win a Senior Major Championship, claiming a two-stroke victory at Carnoustie.

A field of past Major Champions, former Ryder Cup Captains and players, and PGA TOUR and DP World Tour winners will descend on Sunningdale for the 38th edition of the ISPS HANDA Senior Open and tickets are now available to purchase here.