Hot Off the Press Release: Sky Secures PGA Champs in Short Term

On the eve of this year’s PGA Championship, Sky announced it had secure rights to one of golf’s four majors for the next “couple of years”.

The length of the deal sounds vague, which isn’t surprising given two years ago Discovery signed a 12-year international deal for PGA golf rights and a PGA Tour-branded OTT service.

It’s not clear what impact this will have on Sky’s long-term golf coverage as the PGA Championship is run by the PGA of America, which is separate to the Tour’s organisation.

Here’s Sky’s media release:

Sky continues to have the best of the best on the greens

 Given the challenges currently being faced by virtually every sporting code based in the USA, credit must go to the leaders in golf who have dealt superbly with all the issues facing them to put on a fantastic PGA Tour. A number of New Zealanders have been able to take part ensuring they can keep sharpening their skills on the fairway and Sky Sport is delighted to have been part of the story.

This week sees the PGA Championship* tee off at TPC Harding Park, 7,234 yards, par 70 – with Danny Lee, Aotearoa’s sole representative on the course in San Francisco.

Tex Teixeira, Chief Content Officer for Sky says, “Premier golf is a big drawcard for Sky and both the PGA Tour and PGA Championship are definitely part of our success in this space.  I’m delighted to confirm that we have secured the rights for the PGA Championship through the next couple of years to ensure Kiwi fans can stay up to date with world-class action.

“With life so uncertain, and the current inability for fans to travel to the USA, at the very least we are able to offer live access to the world’s best golfers anticipated to include the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy and our very own Danny Lee.”

The PGA Championship tees off at 8am this Friday on the Home of Golf Sky Sport 6 and will feature next year as part of a wider line up of premium golf on Sky.

The European Tour is also under way and fans are being treated to the skills of female players in the LPGA.

Teixeira says, “We are committed to sharing the very best content New Zealanders want to see from home and abroad, and we’re very pleased to have the PGA Championship as part of a wonderful roster of the world’s best golf.”

Golf on Sky Sport – Sky Sport 6

➢ The PGA Championship held at TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, California:

• PGA Championship Round 1 8am Friday.
• PGA Championship Round 2 8am Saturday.
• PGA Championship Round 3 8am Sunday.
• PGA Championship Round 4 7am Monday.

➢ European Tour: English Championship held at Hanbury Manor Marriott Country Club, Ware, Hertfordshire:

• European Tour: English Championship Round 1 11pm Thursday.
• European Tour: English Championship Round 2 11pm Friday.
• European Tour: English Championship Round 3 12.30am Sunday.
• European Tour: English Championship Round 4 12.30am Monday.

➢ The LPGA continues with the LPGA Marathon Classic held at Highland Meadows Golf Club Sylvania, Ohio, USA from 5am, August 7-10.