The 2018 U.S. Open Trophy Tour, presented by Lexus, officially began Wednesday with a launch event in New York City. The tour will provide the opportunity for golf’s most passionate fans to learn about the championship’s prestigious history and admire the iconic trophy at events around the tri-state area on the way to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.
Now in its fifth year, the Trophy Tour will include stops at the Bronx Zoo’s Run for the Wild, Stamford Hospital’s Hope in Motion, the New York Jets’ Draft Day Party, Long Island Aquarium and TopGolf, among numerous other locations. It will also stop at the Lexus Performance Driving Tour at Citi Field on May 25–27, as well as at metropolitan area Lexus dealerships.
The tour will feature the “Ultimate U.S. Open Sweepstakes,” which provides fans who post a photo of themselves with the trophy and the hashtags #USOpen and #Sweepstakes on Twitter or Instagram a chance to win once-in-a-lifetime U.S. Open experiences, including 2018 U.S. Open tickets or a grand prize of three days and two nights at the 119th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links in June 2019.
“The 118th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club marks our return to a historic venue that challenges players both mentally and physically,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “We are excited to partner with Lexus for the fifth consecutive year to bring one of the game’s most prestigious trophies to local communities and golf fans.”
A silver 2018 Lexus LX will transport the trophy in style to several U.S. Open qualifying sites, providing competitors with a chance to view the game’s ultimate prize. Each tour stop will have an interactive Father’s Day station for golf fans to personalize a digital card to be delivered on Monday, June 11.
“The U.S. Open Trophy is a highly regarded symbol in sports, and the 2018 Lexus LX is the perfect mode of transportation for its 61-day tour across the tri-state area,” said Steve Jett, national manager of auto shows and lifestyle events at Lexus. “We’re excited to extend the golf fan experience beyond the course by driving the trophy to popular locations on its way to one of golf’s most historic venues.”