ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) -- For the first time in nearly two decades, the PGA TOUR is getting a new title sponsor for the Nissan Open Riviera.
While the final details are still being worked out, a TOUR official and tournament organizer said that Bearing Point will become the new title sponsor of what began in 1926 as the Los Angeles Open.
The officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.
Nissan was the presenting sponsor in 1987, and two years later became the title sponsor. The company last year moved its U.S. headquarters from southern California to Nashville, Tenn., which is one reason it wanted out of its contract with the PGA TOUR. The contract was to expire in 2010.
Bearing Point, based in McLean, Va., provides management and technology consulting services worldwide. It had been a candidate to become title sponsor at the now-defunct International in Colorado, but did not think it was a good fit.
Until now, Bearing Point's main involvement in golf has been an endorsement with Phil Mickelson, who wears the logo on his cap.
Still to be determined is what role Mickelson might have with Bearing Point at Riviera, although it likely will fall well short of Lefty serving as the official host. The only host in the 80-year history at Riviera was singer Glen Campbell.
Mickelson had gone six years without playing Riviera, but returned this year and had a one-shot lead playing the final hole until taking a bogey and losing in a playoff to Charles Howell III.
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