PGA Championship goes online as Eleven Sports snap up live rights
The PGA Championship TV coverage caused quite a stir last year. First off everyone was upset because they had paid a lot of money for Sky Sports, which then lost the rights to the final major of 2017. Then the BBC stepped in to save the day for British golf fans, only to be then attacked for its coverage of the event – despite only having three weeks to prepare.
Well, it’s all set to change again this year, with Eleven Sports picking up the championship they used to call Glory’s Last Shot.
Eleven Sports have secured exclusive rights to the PGA Championship and will allow free access to the event, which will be held at Bellerive Country Club in Missouri from August 9-12.
A statement from Eleven Sports reads: “There will be three ways to watch the action on Eleven Sports. All four rounds will be shown live and free of charge through a seven-day trial on the Eleven Sports website, and on iOS and Android mobile and tablet apps. The first two rounds will also be streamed for free on Facebook Live through the Eleven Sports UK page.”
The statement then goes on to promise at least eight and a half hours of continuous live golf on each day throughout the tournament, as well as highlights available on the website.
The coverage will be presented by Dominik Holyer and Anna Whiteley.
How to watch the 2018 PGA Championship
Thursday
4pm-7pm: Featured groups; Eleven Sports website, mobile and tablet apps, Facebook Live
7pm-close of play: Full coverage; Eleven Sports website, mobile and tablet apps, Facebook Live
Friday
4pm-7pm: Featured groups; Eleven Sports website, mobile and tablet apps, Facebook Live
7pm-close of play: Full coverage; Eleven Sports website, mobile and tablet apps, Facebook Live
Saturday
5pm-close of play: Full coverage; Eleven Sports website, mobile and tablet apps, Facebook Live
Sunday
5pm-close of play: Full coverage; Eleven Sports website, mobile and tablet apps, Facebook Live
NCG’s verdict
We’re increasingly moving into an online-first world and coverage of golf, as well as other sports, is continuing to progress each year.
Some people won’t like it – particularly those who fork out a lot of money for ‘The Home of Major Golf’ Sky Sports – but it’s free golf for all to access, and that can only be a good thing.
The real kicker will be whether or not we can get the Eleven Sports app on our TVs. Because if that’s not the case, then a lot of people won’t be interested.
As for Sky Sports, it’s an understandable decision. The PGA Championship clashes with the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, while the move to may from 2019 would mean Sky having to fork out twice in the same financial year for the same event.
As a Sky customer myself, it’s frustrating because their coverage of golf is second-to-none. But all I really care about is live golf, particularly the majors, being available to the masses.
Alex Perry
Is Sky’s major coverage a class above the BBC’s?
Angry at the BBC’s PGA coverage? You’re angry for the wrong reasons
The results are in: You are not happy with the BBC PGA Championship coverage
Alex Perry
Alex has been the editor of National Club Golfer since 2017. A Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.
