Omega follows Nike and Bose to become the third new sponsor for the current world number two golfer Rory McIlroy. The new signing complements the brand’s sponsorship activities in golf, which include title sponsorship of the Dubai Desert Classic and the European Masters tournaments, both events on the European Tour. Omega also acted as official timekeeper of last year’s prestigious Ryder Cup and will hold the same role for this year’s 95th PGA Championship. McIlroy joins other big names in golf who are ambassadors for the watch brand: Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Sergio Garcia and Michelle Wie.

Omega president Stephen Urquhart, left, and golfer Rory McIlroy

More important, however, is the fact that golf will be part of the sports programme of the next summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, for which Omega is also the official timekeeper. Although this is clearly one of the main reasons behind signing such a high-profile golfer, McIlroy has yet to make any firm commitment to playing at the Olympic Games.

Stephen Urquhart, the president of OMEGA, said, “Rory is one of those golfers who lights up every course he plays on. In recent years, he has been golf’s most exciting player and he has already attracted legions of new fans. He’s the sort of golfer who is good for the sport and for its image. I can hardly wait to see how far his extraordinary talent will take him. We are all delighted that he is now part of the OMEGA family.”

Rory McIlroy admitted to being a long-time fan of Omega and “truly excited about this new partnership”.