CHICAGO _ It was over. Done with. Fertig.
BMW would pull away from title-sponsoring what is now called the BMW Championship after the final putt dropped this week at Medinah.
Instead the German automotive giant would sink its U.S. golf sponsorship money into the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.
The PGA Tour and Western Golf Association would continue hunting for a new title sponsor.
"We are in active discussions with several companies," WGA VP Vince Pellegrino told the Tribune for a story published June 25.
The price tag: $15 million to $18 million a year.
Two weeks later, BMW announced a change in leadership that appeared to change everything. Oliver Zipse is set to take over as chairman Aug. 16.
Sources told the Tribune on Tuesday that BMW will renew as the title sponsor of the annual FedEx Cup playoff event, starting with next year's event at south suburban Olympia Fields. It will be a three-year deal with potential destinations at clubs such as Cherry Hills in Colorado and Caves Valley in Maryland.
All of this came together as WGA officials prepared for their signature event. The top 70 players on the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup points list have descended upon Medinah this week.
None of the principals would comment on the U-turn, a remarkable turn of events in the sports marketing world. The deal will be announced in the coming days.
