AKRON, Ohio -- As expected, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational will move to Memphis in 2019 after one final stop at Firestone Country Club in Akron this summer.

The change will end a 19-year relationship.

The move was announced today at a news conference Thursday morning at Firestone by PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, who also announced that the Bridgestone Senior Players tournament will be held at Firestone in 2019 from July 8-14. That contract is through 2022.

The reason for the change is simple.

"You've got to have a sponsor," Monahan said. "Bridgestone's strategy was changing and involving. Once we realized continuation with the WGC wasn't going to happen, we worked hard and they really worked hard as a great partner did and does to try and do everything they could to keep professional golf here again in Northeast Ohio."

The WGC-Bridgestone Invitational will move to Memphis in 2019. A news conference is planned there later today.

"We had a great run here at Firestone Country Club with the PGA Tour and a World Golf Championship," Monahan said. "One of the primary reasons it's been a success is because of an exceptional golf course. But continuing to play here was not a reality ... If we didn't have Bridgestone do what they're doing here, step up and bring a major championship to Firestone, we might not be here in 2019."

The Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone, which replaced a World Series of Golf event, debuted in 1999 with NEC as the title sponsor. Bridgestone took over in 2006. Tiger Woods has won the WGC Invitational at Firestone eight times.

In 2002, the WGC Invitational was played in Washington state. Firestone hosted the Senior PGA Championship that year, won by Fuzzy Zoeller.

The Senior Players is one of five majors on the PGA Champions Tour. In its first four years of existence, 1983-86, the Senior Players unfolded at Canterbury G.C. in Beachwood. Arnold Palmer won in 1984-85.

Since a three-year run at Fox Chapel G.C. in Pennsylvania, 2012-14, the Senior Players has been contested at different sites for three straight years. Last season, Scott McCarron won at Caves Valley G.C. in Owings Mills, Md.

.@JFeinsteinBooks said Tiger, Phil, Rory and the other big time tour players will be "very disappointed" that the PGA is being ripped from FIrestone — Anthony Lima (@SportsBoyTony) April 12, 2018

@PGA Shame on you PGA. You have no idea what you’re taking from the Akron community and all that went with the Bridgestone/Firestone Golf Tournament. Shame on you! — Joe Moran (@MoeIrish26) April 12, 2018

Firestone and the city of akron provided great crowds and excellent hospitality for decades. Truly a disappointing and awful decision. — Seth Brine (@SjBrine) April 10, 2018