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Genworth’s Latest Putts4Charity Challenge Raises Over 134,000 SEK

Robert Karlsson and his wife Ebba support Putts4Charity (Getty Images)

Stockholm, Sweden (August 16, 2010) - Leading global financial security company and a European Tour sponsor, Genworth Financial, Inc. (NYSE:GNW) added a new dimension to its ‘Putts4Charity’ initiative at the recent Nordea Scandinavian Masters.  Genworth encouraged Tour Professionals taking part in the fundraising fun to invite their wives and girlfriends to join them in a ‘Putts4Charity Challenge’ and secure a further ‘big money’ one putt in aid of SOS Children’s Villages.

Following the first day of play former Order of Merit winner and Swedish Professional, Robert Karlsson competed against his wife Ebba.  Whoever sunk their putt first at Genworth’s Putts4Charity Greens in the sponsors’ village secured a 10,000 Kronor donation from the Genworth Foundation.  Both contenders were on top form and secured their putts for SOS Children’s Villages on their first attempt.

Robert was clearly delighted to be playing in his native Sweden and have the opportunity to give back to charity:

“I always like playing in my home event, the support I get from the spectators is fantastic.  I have taken part in Putts4Charity for a few years now, it’s a great initiative from Genworth and the Tour Players Foundation raising money for good causes. Putting alongside my wife Ebba was a lot of fun and she really put the pressure on me by holing her putt straight away!”

"Putts4Charity is becoming a real family affair, added Martin Ring, Genworth’s Brand and Events Leader.  At the Alstrom Open de France a few weeks ago we had players and their children taking part in our ‘Putts4Charity Challenge’ and now we’ve had wives and girl friends taking part too -- all of our participants seem to have great fun.  With Robert and Ebba holing their putts straight away, both earned a 10,000 Kronor donation for SOS Children’s Villages.”

European Tour Professionals Peter Hanson joined by his wife Sanna, Johan Edfors and partner Cecilia and Niclas Fasth and wife Maria, all took up the challenge which by the end of the week had raised 134,130 SEK.

Notes to editors
Putts4Charity helps raise funds for good causes by challenging the general public to make a successful “one putt” on specially constructed greens at various stops along The European Tour.  For each successful one putt made at the Nordea Scandinavian Masters, the Genworth Foundation made a 10 SEK donation to charity.  Similarly, every one putt made by professionals competing in the tournament raised 20 SEK.

The popular putting challenge was developed by Genworth, in partnership with The Tour Players Foundation, the charitable organization of The European Tour and has been running since 2007.  Putts4Charity is part of Genworth’s commitment to community involvement in the countries where it has operations.  The 2010 season of Putts4Charity aims to donate over €150,000 to this year’s main beneficiary, SOS Children’s Villages across Europe.

Genworth is also the official sponsor of The European Tour Statistics programme, providing Tour members with invaluable analysis of their performance. Every shot played by every member is profiled throughout the season, with the results collated into nine categories: Stroke Average, Driving Accuracy, Driving Distance, Greens in Regulation, Putts per Greens in regulation, Putts per Round, Sand Saves,  Scrambles and One Putts Per Round.

Genworth will be local sponsors of the following future tournaments on the 2010 European Tour calendar:

• 3 Irish Open, Killarney, Co Kerry - July 29-Aug 1 (ProAM July 28)
• Portugal Masters (15th – 18th October)

For more details on Genworth’s partnership with the European Tour, please visit www.genworth.co.uk/golf.

About Genworth Financial

Genworth Financial, Inc. (NYSE:GNW) is a leading Fortune 500 global financial security company.  Genworth has more than $100 billion in assets and employs approximately 6,000 people with a presence in more than 25 countries.  Its products and services help meet the investment, protection, retirement and lifestyle needs of more than 15 million customers.   Genworth operates through three segments: Retirement and Protection, U.S. Mortgage Insurance and International. Its products and services are offered through financial intermediaries, advisors, independent distributors and sales specialists.  Genworth Financial, which traces its roots back to 1871, became a public company in 2004 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.   For more information, visit www.genworth.com