The pollen count is higher than the rough as allergy season plays havoc with golfers this time of year.
Many will reach for their daily dose of Zyrtec® before putting on golf shoes in the morning, and this year’s winner of the Arnold Palmer Invitational is no exception.
“Throughout my career, it seems my intense allergy symptoms tend to hit during the hardest and most important weeks of my year,” said the now three-time PGA Tour winner Akshay Bhatia. “That’s why I’ve relied on Zyrtec as a part of my routine for years, to ensure that even at the tournaments with the highest allergens, I’m not letting it affect how I show up on the course.”
Bhatia and another star on the rise, Neal Shipley, are each player ambassadors for Zyrtec® whose parent company Kenvue, Inc, recently announced a multi-year agreement to become the first Allergy Relief Sponsor of the PGA Tour.
“I think that the important part to us was the authenticity of how they suffer with allergies and the fact that they happen to already be using Zyrtec,” said Jenn Lovell, Commercial Head, US Allergy, Kenvue.
One in four adults are affected by seasonal allergies. Zyrtec has been the #1 doctor-recommended over-the-counter oral allergy brand for quite some time. The partnership has also debuted the brand’s “Yes Season” campaign, rooted in the insight that seasonal allergies often get in the way—making people rethink plans and say no to things they normally love to do.
“Spring allergies affect millions, and golf is where we know symptoms can show up the hardest with hours of exposure to grass and pollen, it can challenge even the best players like Akshay,” Lovell added. “We know that eighty-five percent of PGA Tour players are actually affected by allergies and that Zyrtec has a really tangible benefit. Many consumers understand that Zyrtec is there for them when immersed in high pollen environments.”
Zyrtec began engaging with fans on-site at Bay Hill and TPC Sawgrass during the Tour’s Florida swing of events, offering onsite experiences. The Pollen PuttPutt was as big a hit as The Relief Club, offering free giveaways to fans, including samples, golf towels monogrammed on the spot, and refreshments — all while learning about the product.
“Golf is a natural place for us to play. It’s also a sport of extreme precision. So, the slightest distraction, if it’s an itchy eye when you’re on a crucial putt or a sneeze during a swing, it can totally derail performance,” Lovell said. “It’s not just about comfort. It’s really a competitive necessity.”
Zyrtec plans to be at three more events in 2026, including the RBC Heritage in April, the Truist Championship a month later, and the Tour Championship this summer.
“We are pleased to welcome Zyrtec into our marketing partner family as the Official Allergy Relief Sponsor of the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions,” said Dan Glod, Executive Vice President, Corporate Partnerships. “With our players and fans in mind, we’re thrilled to now provide relief on-site at tournaments as the golf calendar shifts to the Spring and allergy season kicks into high gear.”
