Optum Extends as Proud Partner of THE PLAYERS Championship

The PGA TOUR and THE PLAYERS Championship today announced Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), will extend its commitment as Proud Partner of THE PLAYERS Championship through 2028. THE PLAYERS, featuring the strongest field in golf, will be held at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, March 10-13 with 144 players competing for a record $20 million purse, including defending champion Justin Thomas.

“Since 2015, Optum has been at the forefront of growing the stature of THE PLAYERS while creating a lasting charitable impact for hundreds of non-profits which benefit from this championship,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Their commitment to health equity and creating better opportunities where communities need it most aligns with our primary mission at the PGA TOUR, and we’re excited to continue this partnership in conjunction with our flagship event.”

Optum will continue to partner with THE PLAYERS Championship and 2019 PLAYERS Champion and Optum Health Ambassador, Rory McIlroy to showcase the importance of helping people live healthier lives and work to improve health equity in the Jacksonville community and beyond.

“At Optum we are grounded in our mission to help the health system work better for everyone, and we continue to be inspired by the important work we can advance across the communities we serve in partnership with THE PLAYERS and the PGA TOUR,” said John Prince, President and Chief Operating Officer, Optum. “We look forward to working together to remove barriers and close gaps in care to make health equity a reality for all people.”

Over the past 40+ years, THE PLAYERS has generated more than $100 million to support non-profit organizations in communities within Northeast Florida, with Optum focusing their commitment to those efforts by supporting First Tee and the Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation Mobile Health Unit.

In partnership with McIlroy, Optum has partnered with the Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation as their charity of the day at THE PLAYERS, funding operations of a mobile health unit which supports free physicals for youth sports participation, COVID response, and other community needs.

“Optum has been a tremendous partner of THE PLAYERS and has demonstrated a concerted effort to bettering the lives of those in Northeast Florida, as well as communities across the country,” said Jared Rice, Executive Director of THE PLAYERS. “As we continue elevating this championship as one of the premier events in sports, their tireless commitment as a Proud Partner has enabled us to achieve exponential growth while creating a first-class experience onsite for our players and fans.”

Optum, Morgan Stanley and Grant Thornton are the Proud Partners of THE PLAYERS.

About THE PLAYERS Championship

THE PLAYERS Championship annually combines the strongest field in golf with the world-class venue that is THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Optum®, Morgan Stanley and Grant Thornton LLP are the exclusive Proud Partners of THE PLAYERS. Proceeds from THE PLAYERS benefit Northeast Florida charities and have totaled more than $100 million since it began in 1974 and moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1977. For more on THE PLAYERS, visit THEPLAYERS.com. For more on the surrounding areas, visit floridashistoriccoast.com or visitjacksonville.com.

About Optum

Optum is a leading information and technology-enabled health services business dedicated to helping make the health system work better for everyone. With more than 210,000 people worldwide, Optum delivers intelligent, integrated solutions that help to modernize the health system and improve overall population health. Optum is part of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). For more information, visit www.Optum.com.

About Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in more than 42 countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit http://www.morganstanley.com.

About Grant Thornton LLP

Founded in Chicago in 1924, Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world’s leading organizations of independent audit, tax and advisory firms. Grant Thornton, which has revenues in excess of $1.9 billion and operates more than 50 offices, works with a broad range of dynamic publicly and privately held companies, government agencies, financial institutions, and civic and religious organizations.

“Grant Thornton” refers to Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate, one another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. Please see grantthornton.com for further details.