The European Challenge Tour, the second-tier men's professional golf tour in Europe has secured a new sponsorship with Swedish golf clothing brand Abacus.

Abacus will back the tour for the next three years, handing three Challenge Tour graduates each season a US$15,000 clothing contract. The brand is also the official clothing supplier to the Ladies European Tour and Europe's Solheim Cup team.

Meanwhile, Challenge Tour staff will receive branded Abacus clothing, including items from their leading rainwear collection, and support four events on the Challenge Tour.

Sven-Olof Karlsson, president of Abacus, said: "We are excited about starting a closer co-operation with the European Challenge Tour, in the same way that we have been working with the Ladies European Tour and Europe’s Solheim Cup team. To start focusing on the younger, up-and-coming players on the Challenge Tour ties in well with the Abacus image. Through our agreement with the Challenge Tour and the Solheim Cup, Abacus has created a strong platform to become the leading golf brand in Europe."