September 3, 2010

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NBC Sports Begins 21.5 Hours Of FedExCup Coverage With Deutsche Bank Championship This Sunday & Monday

September 2, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment


Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson & Matt Kuchar Among Top 100 Players Competing

NBC Sports “showed its golf coverage is the best of any network” – St. Petersburg Times


NEW YORK – September 2, 2010 – NBC Sports presents the first of its three FedExCup events with live third- and final-round coverage of the Deutsche Bank Championship from TPC Boston in Norton, Mass., this Sunday, 3-6 p.m. ET, and Labor Day Monday, 2-6 p.m. ET. NBC Sports will broadcast 21.5 hours of coverage of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. In addition to the Deutsche Bank Championship, NBC Sports will present the BMW Championship and THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca Cola later this month.

Host Dan Hicks and analyst Johnny Miller, in their 11th season together as NBC Sports’ lead golf team, anchor coverage from the 18th-hole tower, and are joined by tower reporters Gary Koch and Brad Faxon, a nearby Rhode Island resident; on-course reporters Roger Maltbie, Mark Rolfing and Dottie Pepper.

The Top 100 players in the world this year, including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and current FedExCup points leader Matt Kuchar, will compete this weekend for a chance to advance in the FedExCup playoffs. Only the Top 70 players in FedExCup points will move on to next week’s BMW Championship. For current FedExCup standings, click here: http://www.pgatour.com/r/stats/info/?02395

Additional pressure exists this weekend for players attempting to impress Ryder Cup Team USA captain Corey Pavin, who on Tuesday will choose his four captains picks and finalize the 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup team. For more information on the 2010 Ryder Cup, click here: http://www.rydercup.com/2010/usa/

FAXON ON TPC BOSTON: “This course is close to my home and I play it quite a bit. It’s in fantastic shape, the best condition I’ve ever seen it. It has the best greens I’ve seen all year. They are quick and firm. A variety of players can do well here. It doesn’t favor one type of player. There are some long Par 4s, but just being long isn’t going to win here.”

ROLFING ON FEDEXCUP: “The FedExCup tournaments are totally different because you have players making calculations that you normally never see them make. It all relates to the points and what they need to do to advance. Normally, you never have to calculate the implications of finishing in 51st place, for example. There’s a different mentally to these tournaments and it makes things really interesting.”

For more information on the FedExCup, click here: http://www.pgatour.com/fedexcup/playoffs-primer/index.html

NBC SPORTS’ FEDEXCUP SCHEDULE: The Deutsche Bank Championship is the first of three consecutive FedExCup Playoff events broadcast by NBC Sports. On September 11-12, NBC Sports broadcasts the BMW Championship from Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, Ill., The final FedExCup event and the culmination of the 2010 PGA TOUR season, THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca Cola, takes place the weekend of September 25-26 in Atlanta from East Lake Golf Club. (all times ET):

Deutsche Bank Championship – Norton, Mass.

Sunday, September 5                 3–6 p.m.

Monday, September 6                 2–6 p.m.

BMW Championship – Lemont, Ill.

Saturday, September 11            12-3 p.m.

Sunday, September 12            2–6 p.m.

The Tour Championship presented by Coca Cola – Atlanta, Ga.

Saturday, September 25            12-3 p.m.

Sunday, September 26            1:30–6 p.m.

THE RYDER CUP: NBC Sports will broadcast 16 hours of coverage of the 2010 Ryder Cup from The Twenty Ten Course at The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, South Wales on Saturday and Sunday, October 2-3.

2010 Ryder Cup – Newport, South Wales

Saturday, October 2                    8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday, October 3                    7 a.m. – 1 p.m.

GLOBAL GOLF ADVENTURE RETURNS SUNDAY

Episode Features Candid Reflections from U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell and a Dramatic Recap of the Final Round

NBC Sports presents an exciting new episode of Global Golf Adventure, a groundbreaking first-of-its kind golf, travel and adventure show produced and hosted by NBC Sports golf personality Mark Rolfing this Sunday, Sept 5th at 2:30 p.m. ET immediately prior to the network’s live third-round coverage of the Deutsche Bank Championship.

The fourth installment of the Global Golf Adventure series features the final round of this year’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, and a fascinating interview with champion Graeme McDowell discussing his triumphant victory. Rolfing recaps how the captivating final round unfolded, the key moments, and how McDowell prevailed to capture his first major championship.

“The impression I had on June 20 was that it was really one of the strangest days I’ve ever seen in golf,” says Rolfing, who has been a broadcaster for 25 years. “I was just so captivated by that one final day at Pebble Beach, it all went by so fast to me. I wanted to figure out how to capture that day.”

“To re-live those few days in detail, and to do so with someone as knowledgeable in the world of golf as Mark, was extremely enjoyable,” said McDowell. “My win at Pebble was the most amazing week of my career, an unforgettable experience, and one I will never get tired of re-living.  It really was a fun interview for me, so I am looking forward to seeing the end product.  Something tells me it is a show that I am going to record, and re-watch it again, again, and again.”

Continental Airlines is the presenting sponsor of Global Golf Adventure, which is also sponsored by FedEx, Michelin and The Villages. NBC’s Mark Rolfing travels with Global Golf Adventure, to exciting locations worldwide, showcasing unique global golf and travel destinations.  Four 30-minute programs air prior to NBC’s live third round golf tournament coverage and include interviews with pro golfers and notable personalities familiar with the episode’s location, as well as instructional segments and travel adventures.

Filed Under: Golf, NBC

110th U.S. Amateur Golf Championship Airs This Weekend On NBC Sports

August 26, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Weekend Programming Includes World of Adventure Sports & Diamond League Track & Field


NEW YORK – Aug 26, 2010 – NBC Sports presents coverage of the 110th U.S. Amateur Championship this Saturday and Sunday, 4-6 p.m. ET, from Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash. The U.S. Amateur is the oldest golf championship in the country, just one day older than the U.S. Open.

This is the 15th consecutive year that NBC Sports has broadcast the event. NBC Sports’ golf commentators Dan Hicks, Gary Koch, Roger Maltbie and Dottie Pepper will call the action.

The event features the best amateur golfers competing in a match play format. Some of the game’s all-time greats are among the past winners including Tiger Woods, who won three years in a row (1994-96), Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Phil Mickelson.

WORLD OF ADVENTURE SPORTS, SATURDAY, 3 PM ET

NBC Sports presents coverage of the Emmy Award Winning World of Adventure Sports this Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. Host Pat Parnell brings viewers the fifth episode of the 2010 season from the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, Calif. There’s no surf stadium like the Huntington Beach Pier and it remains the Headliner at the US Open, with five separate events, 300-plus competitors and more than $300,000 in prize money on the table.

Also in this episode, professional racer Rhys Millen attempted to beat the current “Unlimited Class” World Record at the 88th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the “Race to the Clouds.” For 10 years, it has been Rhys’s dream to break the 10-minute barrier and this year he hoped to capture the elusive record.

WOAS heads to Chicago where the top riders in BMX compete for over $50,000 in prize money at the Red Bull Stomping Ground, where an abandoned lot is converted into the ultimate dirt playground designed by BMX legend Fuzzy Hall.

Lastly, WOAS takes an inside look at athletes and adventures featured in “Uniquely.” “Uniquely”is a six-section travel-inspired women’s multi–sport (snowboard, ski, surf, skate, wake) film that exposes the “unique” personalities and lifestyles of the athletes involved as they pass the baton, or camera, from one location to the next.

DIAMOND LEAGUE TRACK & FIELD, SUNDAY, 3 PM ET

NBC Sports presents taped coverage of the Diamond League Track and Field this Sunday from Brussels, Belgium.

The Belgacom Memorial Van Damme is the second of two finals – where Diamond Race trophies accompanied by a prize of $40,000 will be awarded to the winners of 16 disciplines – and the 14th and last meeting of the inaugural series of the Samsung Diamond League.

Scheduled to compete among many of the world’s top track athletes are 2008 Beijing Olympians representing the USA: Tyson Gay, Allyson Felix and Lolo Jones. Paul Sunderland, Ato Boldon, Lewis Johnson, and Dwight Stones will provide commentary.

Filed Under: Golf, NBC, Track & Field

Notes from TNT’s Final Round Coverage of the 92nd PGA Championship

August 16, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the PGA Championship from Whistling Straits in

Kohler, Wis. – Final Round – Sunday, August 15, 2010

Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ian Baker-Finch, Billy Kratzert and Jim Huber

Baker-Finch on Tom Lehman using a wedge to putt a shot close to the hole from the fringe: “well done, if you try and chip those you can look like an idiot very easily.”

Johnson on the virtual map showing Wisconsin and zooming in on Whistling Straits: “There’s Milwaukee. I was born there Kratz (Kratzert), I wonder if they could zoom in to North 68th Street.”

Kratzert on the play of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson: “Every round he’s (Mickelson) struggling to make par. He is working too hard…I watch Tiger and I watch Phil, these guys are struggling. This is as soft as this golf course is going to play and the guys who are playing well are taking advantage of it. The #1 and #2 players in the world, they’re just not playing well.”

Kratzert on Woods’ poor play this year: “This year we’ve been robbed of the ‘Tiger Moments’, frankly because he hasn’t played well and there haven’t been many.”

Baker-Finch on the leaderboard featuring a slew of golfers in their 20’s:  “We’re seeing a little bit of the changing of the guard, with the young guys coming… It’s the guys on that leaderboard that we’ll be seeing for the next 10 years. Previously we’ve seen (Retief) Goosen, (Jim) Furyk, Tiger (Woods), (Phil) Mickelson and (Ernie) Els.”

Baker-Finch on Tiger Woods terrific iron play: “Best iron player in the game; works the ball better than anyone else….and he hits his nine iron while others are hitting five irons and four irons.”

Kratzert on Woods second shot from the bunker on hole #5, which he successfully hit 5 Wood on in Round 3: “If he takes the 5 Wood out here and gets it anywhere near the green I’m walking out of here and walking all the way out there and shaking his hand.”

Johnson sarcastically: “That’ll make his day.”

Johnson following errant shots by Tim Clark and Tiger Woods into/near the grandstands at #6: “They are putting on a clinic on how not to play the sixth hold…bouncing around like a pinball at #6.”

Baker-Finch on the wind conditions being a reason for the leaders to watch the early round TV coverage: “If I was getting ready to play this afternoon I’d be watching this show just to get as much as I could from the early starters.”

Kratzert after a fan yelled ‘Mashed Potatoes’ during Woods’ tee shot on the 9th: “What does that mean?”

Johnson: “I know what it should mean, ‘thanks for coming, see you later, here’s the gate.’”

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For Third Consecutive Day PGA.com Sets Video Streaming Record

For the third consecutive day PGA.com set a video streaming record delivering 3.6 million streams (live + on-demand) for Saturday’s coverage of the 92nd PGA Championship from Whistling Straits from Kohler, Wisconsin. The video streams featured shot by shot coverage of marquee groups as they concluded their fog-delayed Second Round, as well as their third round of play. The new record is a 74% increase over Friday’s record 2.1 million streams (live + on-demand) and a 763% increase over last year’s Saturday PGA Championship video traffic.  Overall, PGA.com has delivered 7.1 million video streams (live + on-demand) over the first three days of the tournament, a 155% increase over last year’s first three rounds. The site also delivered 1.5 million unique users on Saturday, a 48% increase over the previous year.

Filed Under: Golf, TNT

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the PGA Championship from Whistling Straits

August 16, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the PGA Championship from Whistling Straits in

Kohler, Wis. – Round Two – Friday, August 13, 2010

TNT’s Round Three coverage of the PGA Championship continues Saturday., Aug. 14 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET.

Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ian Baker-Finch, Bill Kratzert and Jim Huber joined by Bill Macatee, Peter Kostis, Verne Lundquist, David Feherty, Peter Oosterhuis and Gary McCord

Baker-Finch on Matt Kuchar being an early leader in the tournament: “(Kuchar) is playing really nicely and smoothly.  He’s played well all season and he’s seventh on the Ryder Cup list.  He’s in the top ten in the FedEx Cup rankings and he’s jumping up in the world rankings as well.  He was a winner at the end of last season.  I really like what I’m seeing with Matt Kuchar.  He’s been working on a swing change and he’s really nestled in and feels comfortable with it.  I’m not surprised to see him (leading) and I expect to see him there on Sunday afternoon as well.”

Kostis on Ernie Els: “Tee to green, (Els) is impeccable right now.  He is operating on all eight cylinders.”

Kostis on the damp playing conditions during the second round: “Clearly evident are the soft conditions of the greens.  Players are able to take dead aim at very difficult hole locations and rely on the ball hitting, sitting and staying in place.  It looks like a links (course), smells like a links but it doesn’t play like a links.  If this golf course got fiery and fast and you had to bounce the ball around…boy, would it be fun.”

Feherty on the difficulty of the final two holes at Whistling Straits: “The finish of this golf course (holes 17 and 18)…what a vision of loveliness and brutality at the same time.”

Baker-Finch on Bryce Molder: “I love the way (Molder) holds the finish (of his swing).  He’s been playing well this season.  He’s been putting beautifully and he really holds the back of the left hand to the target on the way through.”

Baker-Finch on the ups-and-downs of playing at Whistling Straits: “This golf course can giveth and it can also taketh away.  You’ve got a little stretch in the middle of the round where you can make some birdies and there are some down-wind holes.  But then you’ve got that brute of a finish coming up at the end and pars are hard to make.”

Baker-Finch on the composure of Seung Yul Noh: “Notice (Noh’s) demeanor, it hasn’t changed at all.  Birdie or bogey…it stays the same.”

Feherty on if the course is playing differently in the second round compared to the first round: “I think (the course) is a good deal softer and we’re seeing maybe a little more wind than (in the first round).  It’s exacting its revenge in places.  It’s showing its link-side and there are places where you can’t hit it.”

Kratzert on Ernie Els’ putting during the second round: “(Els) has left some out here.”

Baker-Finch: “He hasn’t putted the same today, has he?”

Kratzert: “He’s kind of struggled (today) and you can see the frustration.”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Matt Kuchar after finishing his second round at the top of the leaderboard.

Kuchar on finishing his round at the top of the leaderboard with -8: “I’m excited to be in this seat. I haven’t been in this situation, but I feel that my game has been really good this year and got me ready to be at this point. Hopefully, it will be a good weekend for me.”

Kuchar on the prospect of being paired with former Georgia Tech teammate Bryce Molder: “That will be exciting, I’m hoping it continues to work out that way. Bryce (Molder) is a great player, We played a couple of practice rounds this week so it would be a lot of fun if we could play together.”

Baker-Finch on how the remaining golfers should handle the challenging weather conditions: “You don’t wan to shoot yourself in the foot in these difficult conditions. If it does stay like this for the next two or two and a half hours, just take it steady, try and make a birdie on the fifth and sixth (holes) when you get an opportunity, but keep the double bogies off the card. Just keep it out of that long fescue and come back tomorrow and hopefully the conditions will be a little calmer.”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Phil Mickelson after finishing his second round at -2.

Mickelson on his second round effort: “I fought hard today. I’m obviously not where I want to be, I want to be up on the leaderboard with all the other guys, but I’m within striking distance. I played a good back nine there to shoot three under for the day and get back in.”

Mickelson on the difficulty of the course and how you need to play it: “It is very penalizing, I missed a number of birdies the first two days. You can’t play for birdies, you can’t get up in the lead unless you get the ball in the fairway. But once you get in the fairway though, you can attack. The greens are soft, they hold shots. Once you’re on the greens you can make some putts.”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Nick Watney after finishing his second round at -7, second on the leaderboard.

Watney on having to play his final six first round holes in addition to the entire second round on Friday: “It wasn’t too bad physically, but we always joke that if we’re playing well we wish we could just keep on going. Luckily today I was playing pretty well and I was able to keep going and it just worked out.”

Watney on the importance of his short game: “I played well, I made a lot of key saves which kept my momentum. This is obviously a very difficult golf course and a short game will save you. That’s what I’ll take away most from the day and I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

Feherty on Camilo Villegas’ physique: “(Villegas) is the best athlete on the (PGA) TOUR without question. He’s becoming an incredibly keen cyclist. That’s what he needs, less body fat.”

Nance: “Not a whole lot there, is there?”

Feherty: “Just muscle, sinew, fiber and heart.”

Baker-Finch: “What would he be? Six, seven percent body fat?”

Feherty: “Not even, no. Unfortunately, I’ve had to do commercials with him where I’ve seen him partially clothed. It’s very depressing for any man.”

Baker-Finch on the short game of Tiger Woods: “We have seen a short game clinic over the last five holes. (Woods) doesn’t need a coach there, that’s just hard work.”

Feherty on Rickie Fowler’s long hair: “All of these guys will be glad to get out of this wind. Rickie, I think, would probably take a severe beating from his hair if he had to play all 18 of this round.”

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Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the PGA Championship from Whistling Straits in

Kohler, Wis. – Round Two/Three – Saturday, August 14, 2010

TNT’s Round Three /Final Round coverage of the PGA Championship concludes on Sunday, Aug. 15 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET.

Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ian Baker-Finch, Billy Kratzert and Jim Huber

Johnson on former PGA Champion Steve Elkington standing at -3 through the second round: “Wow, getting in the ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’. How about Elk heading into the weekend?”

Kratzert on the low scores through the first two rounds at Whistling Straits: “This is the second time they’ve seen it (the course). They are not intimidated as they were in 2004. That’s why we are seeing the guys shoot the scores they’re shooting.”

Kratzert on Vijay Singh: “This has been a very good putting round by Vijay with the putter, he did not miss anything. You can just feel the confidence growing with Vijay with the putter.”

Baker-Finch on Sergio Garcia possibly joining the European Ryder Cup team: “There is no use in including him if Sergio himself is saying ‘I need to shut it down.’ If he’s playing well he’s the first guy on the plane. If he’s not playing well he needs to shut it down and get his confidence back.”

Baker-Finch on Tiger Woods’ aggressive shot from the sand on the 18th: “I don’t understand this, I really don’t. Why wouldn’t Tiger just take his wedge shot?”

Johnson after Woods hit it on the green: “I guess that’s why.”

Jim Huber interviewed Tiger Woods, who stands at -3 after two rounds.

Woods on his performance through two rounds: “I didn’t really have much today or yesterday. I was happy to get the score I did…I’m in good shape, I’m right there in the ballgame (for the tournament).”

Johnson on the 93rd PGA Championship taking place at Atlanta Athletic Club in John’s Creek: “No per diem for me, just a half hour from my house.”

Kratzert on the long hitters having an advantage to win: “I think that’s going to be the story as the longer players will go ahead and seal the deal.”

Kratzert after a visual of Ernie Els way in the distance in the player’s parking lot: “I’m not feeling bad about the parking spot, he’s got the Mercedes.”

Johnson on France’s Gregory Bourdy: “This putt for Birdie, from Bourdy, from Bordeaux (France).”

Baker-Finch: “You’re killing me.”

Johnson: “Facts are facts.”

Baker-Finch on winning Major Championships: “You need to contend in majors before you have a chance to win them.”

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Filed Under: Golf, TNT

TNT and PGA.com Tee Off First Round Coverage of the PGA Championship with Double-Digit Growth in Ratings and Online Traffic

August 13, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

TNT and PGA.com Tee Off First Round Coverage of the PGA Championship with Double-Digit Growth in Ratings and Online Traffic

Site Sets Single-Day Unique Users and Video Records

Turner Sports, which aired exclusive opening round coverage of the 92nd PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin on TNT, and complementary coverage featuring marquee group pairings on PGA.com, delivered a strong start on both platforms for Round #1 of the season’s final major golf championship. According to Nielsen Fast Nationals, TNT averaged a 1.1 U.S. household rating, up 22% from 2009. In addition, PGA.com’s extensive online coverage set a single-day site record with 1.73 million unique users. PGA.com also delivered a new single day site record for total video streams with 1.4 million (live + on-demand) streams, a 30% increase from the first round of the 2009 PGA Championship.

  • According to Nielsen Fast Nationals, TNT saw a 22% increase for its opening round coverage (1 – 9 pm ET), delivering a 1.1 US HH rating (0.9 in 2009).
  • In addition, TNT had a 22% increase for both total viewers (1,450,000 versus 1,187,000 in 2009) and households (1,222,000 versus 997,000 in 2009)
  • PGA.com saw a 30% increase in video streams over last year (1.4 million, 2010; 1.1 million, 2009).
  • PGA.com also saw a 22% increase in unique users for its opening round coverage (1.73 million, 2010; 1.4 million 2009).

TNT’s coverage continues on Friday (1 – 9 p.m. ET), Saturday (11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET) and Sunday (11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET) with Ernie Johnson hosting alongside analysts Ian Baker-Finch and Billy Kratzert, with Jim Huber (essayist/interviewer) on the course.  PGA.com will continue its live streaming coverage today and it will feature two marquee groups to be determined during the final two rounds following the completion of Round Two. In addition, PGA.com will also provide up-close footage of golfers’ play on challenging Par 3’s on holes #3, 7, 12 and 17.  PGA.com announcers will include play-by-play announcer Marc Fein, analysts Rich Beem (during rounds three and four) and Michael Breed and reporters Brian Katrek and Craig Sager.

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TNT source: Nielsen Media Research / Star Trak.  Actuals based upon Live + Same Day data stream (2010 Nielsen Fast Nationals) for Opening Round dates of the 2010 vs. 2009 PGA Championship (08-12-10 vs.08-13-09).

TNT’s Exclusive Coverage of the Second Round of the 92nd PGA Championship Extended One Hour

Due to the fog delay earlier today, TNT’s exclusive coverage of the second round of the 92nd PGA Championship will extend one hour to 9 p.m. (ET).

The network’s coverage of the PGA Championship will continue on Saturday, Aug. 14 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. (ET).

TNT’s announcing team will feature two-time Emmy® award-winning host Ernie Johnson (play-by-play) who will joined by Ian Baker-Finch (analyst), Billy Kratzert (analyst) and Jim Huber (interviewer/essayist) in calling the Championship.  This is the 20th consecutive year, and 12th straight on TNT, that Turner Sports will air the event.

As previously announced, Turner Sports and The PGA of America will offer coverage of the PGA Championship in 3D on Friday, Aug. 13, on PGA.com and through TNT’s television distributors Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications, DIRECTV and Time Warner Cable. The 3D coverage will focus on the par-3 12th and 17th holes at Whistling Straits from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (ET). Host Vince Cellini will be joined by 2002 PGA Champion Rich Beem to provide commentary and analysis on the holes.

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PGA.com source: Omniture

Filed Under: Golf, TNT

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the PGA Championship – Round One – Thursday, August 12, 2010

August 13, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the PGA Championship from Whistling Straits in

Kohler, Wis. – Round One – Thursday, August 12, 2010

TNT’s Round Two coverage of the PGA Championship continues Fri., August 13 from 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. ET.

Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ian Baker-Finch, Bill Kratzert and Jim Huber joined by Bill Macatee, Peter Kostis, Verne Lundquist, David Feherty, Peter Oosterhuis and Gary McCord

Baker-Finch on the changing of the guard between the established golfers and the young, up and coming golfers: “One of the big themes this week and one of the themes throughout the season this year has been the twenty-somethings.  The guys in their early twenties, like the Australian Michael Sim, they are challenging this guy here (Tiger Woods). We’re really seeing a changing of the guard, we’re seeing Phil (Mickelson) not playing well, not in good health, Lee Westwood is in poor health, had to withdraw last week and again this week, and then these twenty-somethings with this aggressive style of play.”

Baker-Finch on Whistling Straits: “Yes, this is the PGA Championship, not the Open Championship. You see these beautiful vistas across Lake Michigan. It really is a wonderful, wonderful venue. I think the best.”

Baker-Finch on who to watch for to win the 2010 PGA Championship: “It’s hard to pick (the potential winner). There are a few different storylines. Everyone has written off Phil Mickelson, he’s not been feeling well, didn’t play well last week, but he’s No. 2 in the world. Tiger, who is No. 1 in the world, has been playing poorly, people wondered if he’d even make the cut, though he’s turned that around with a birdie, birdie start. To me, the theme this week is the young guys. There are so many guys out there in their early twenties like Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland who loves links golf and grew up on a course similar to this, a very intimidating course. The other young guys, like Ryo Ishikawa from Japan, Hunter Mahan who won last week, so many under the age of 25.  Then also you’ve got those guys like a Bo Van Pelt, guys who are looking to make their way on the Ryder Cup team. Nick Whatney, guys who are playing extremely well and are trying to get on Captain Corey Pavin’s Ryder Cup team in a few weeks. There’s a lot of different things we’re going to see in the next four days, a lot of different guys with an opportunity to win.”

Baker-Finch on whether he would pick Tiger Woods for the U.S. Ryder Cup team: “If I were the Captain I would certainly pick Tiger as well. It’s pretty hard to leave him off the team, but it has to be respectful to the rest of the players who have a chance.”

Macatee on what will happen if Tiger Woods is left off of the U.S. Ryder Cup team: “If you’re (U.S. Ryder Cup captain) Corey Pavin, and you don’t pick the number one player in the world, and you don’t win the Ryder Cup, you’re opening yourself to an awful lot of criticism regardless of how he’s playing.”

Kostis: “Forget about that though, he doesn’t have to pick until September 7. That’s the whole point. If (Pavin) had to pick last Sunday night after (Woods’) performance at Firestone, he doesn’t get picked, that was an awful performance by Tiger. After what he does this week, he may even qualify for the team and it will be a moot point. You don’t have to answer those hypothetical questions right now, just wait until September 7 and it will all work itself out.”

Kostis on Tiger Woods’ strong early first round performance: “Perhaps we’re seeing the beginning of all of the chaos of golf being eliminated; an order being restored if Tiger can keep up his form.”

Kostis on playing too aggressively at Whistling Straits: “Well that’s the cardinal sin on this golf course. You have to take your medicine, you try to get too aggressive with some of these and you just pay a deeper price.”

Lundquist on France’s Gregory Bourdy: “This is too obvious, but it’s (Gregory) Bourdy from Bordeaux.”

Feherty: “Well, he would know his way around the wine cellar.”

Baker-Finch on course designer Pete Dye creating difficult sightlines on the course: “That’s Pete Dye, that’s what he tries to be, visually intimidating. He doesn’t want the players to see all the fare way, he wants to mess with their minds. This is Pete Dye’s best, that’s for sure.”

Feherty on Marc Leishman’s second shot on hole #13: “Would you like French fries or a baked potato with that? Did you see the size of that divot? Nice shot, but a huge clump of Wisconsin came out with that.”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Bubba Watson (-4) following his first round

Watson on if Whistling Straits is an overpowering golf course: “No, I putted really well today and my focus was there.  I stayed with every shot and took my medicine when I had to.  I missed a couple of tee shots but the golf course is not easy.  I just made some putts.”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Tiger Woods (-1) following his first round

Woods on his play in the first round: “I got off to a good start today which was nice and I’m just trying to grind my way along.  I dropped a few shots, but overall I posted under par.”

Woods on if his work leading up to the PGA Championship paid off after the first round: “I thought I hit the ball pretty good.  It felt like I had control of the ball most of the day, especially with my trajectory which was nice.  I haven’t had that in a while so it felt good to have that.”

Woods on what he needs to improve with his game: “I just need to continue to improve every day.  I need to be a little bit more solidified and today I felt like I had good speed on the greens.  If anything, I was leaving putts a little bit short.  They were a little bit slower than what I was seeing.  I just have to make that adjustment.”

McCord on Seung-yul Noh: “This guy can really hit.  He has a beautiful golf swing and he hits it a mile, way up in the air.  He looks really good to me.”

Feherty on Tiger Woods: “When you think of last week (at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational) when (Woods) played like a 12-handicap, he manages to raise his game for the major championships.”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Charles Howell III (-4) following his first round

Howell on playing Whistling Straits: “I played here in 2004 and I like (the course).  It has a links (type course) look to it but it definitely played like an American course today.”

Feherty on players stepping up their games while Tiger Woods has struggled recently: “One thing with Tiger (Woods) not having played well by his own standards for the last year, (it) has given us an idea of just how good the rest of the field is.  Players who have been overshadowed for so long (were able to come to the forefront).  You have to take into consideration just how good Woods is in his ability to have beaten these players for so long.”

Feherty on Nick Watney: “What a great attitude Nick Watney has.  He’s going to be a very good player for a very long time.”

Feherty on his observations of the first round: “It’s been an interesting day with the three hour delay.  They started and then stopped (play).  It was ideal to start, the wind was starting up and the course was starting to dry out.  So the scoring really hasn’t been that good.  A four under par (-4) leads and no one has been able to get to five under (-5).  We’ve got Ernie Els out there in fine form.  We’ve got (Phil) Mickelson just hanging on who’s really made some tremendous ups-and-downs and a bunch of young players who have played very well.”

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Filed Under: Golf, TNT

2010 PGA Championship To Air Nationwide on SIRIUS XM Radio

August 10, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

2010 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP TO AIR NATIONWIDE ON SIRIUS XM RADIO

Live hole-by-hole coverage airs Aug. 12 – 15 from Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin

NEW YORK – August 9, 2010 – SIRIUS XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) announced today that it will broadcast the 92nd PGA Championship, the season’s final major championship, this Thursday, Aug. 12, through Sunday, Aug. 15, on XM channel 146 and SIRIUS channel 209 with the “Best of XM” programming package.

SIRIUS XM’s live coverage, from Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, will be hosted by Gary Williams and Matt Adams alongside analysts John Maginnes and Dennis Paulson, with hole-by-hole updates from roving reporters Fred Albers, Doug Bell and Michael Collins.

On-course coverage will start Thursday and Friday at 12:00 pm ET and Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 pm ET and will continue until the conclusion of each day’s play.  Play-by-play will immediately be followed by a wrap-up of the day’s action on PGA Championship Replay, which will include a recap with highlights, analysis and interviews with players.

Whistling Straits, a links-style course on the shores of Lake Michigan, is hosting the PGA Championship for the second time.  In its 2004 debut, Vijay Singh won the Championship after a three-hole playoff with Chris DiMarco and Justin Leonard.  Y.E. Yang is the defending PGA Champion, having won at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota last year.

The PGA Championship perennially features the strongest field in golf, with 97 of the top 100 ranked players in the world in this year’s field.  That list includes Tiger Woods, last year’s runner-up and a four-time PGA Champion; reigning Masters Champion Phil Mickelson, who won the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club; 2010 U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell; Louis Oosthuizen, who won the 2010 British Open last month; and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker, the fourth-ranked player in the world.

In the days leading up to the Championship, SIRIUS XM’s hosts will provide golf fans with daily talk and analysis of this year’s event.

DiMarco, who participated in the exciting playoff at Whistling Straits in 2004, will debut a new edition of his weekly SIRIUS XM show, oPINionated, on Tuesday, Aug. 10 (12:00 pm ET and 4:00 pm ET).  DiMarco, who has finished in the top 16 in four PGA Championships, will talk about his own experiences and share his thoughts on this year’s Championship field.

Fairways of Life with Matt Adams and Earl Forcey will air live Monday through Friday (7:00-9:00 am ET), followed by Teed Off (9:00 am – 11:00 am ET), then Making the Turn with Peter Kessler (11:00 am- Noon ET).

Vince Cellini will host The PGA Championship Preview Show, featuring complete tournament analysis and player interviews, on Tuesday and Wednesday (1:00 – 4:00 pm ET) and Saturday and Sunday (11:00 am – 1:00 pm ET).

All shows air on XM channel 146 and on SIRIUS channel 209 for subscribers with the “Best of XM” programming package.

For more information on SIRIUS XM’s golf coverage, visit www.xmradio.com/pgatour.

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Filed Under: Golf, Sirius/XM

Turner Sports Tees Up Multiplatform Coverage of 92nd PGA Championship

August 10, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Turner Sports Tees Up Multiplatform Coverage of 92nd PGA Championship from

Aug. 12-15

Extensive Television, Online and Mobile Coverage Provides Fans All-Access Pass to Year’s Final Major

Turner Sports will provide extensive multiplatform coverage for all four rounds of the 92nd PGA Championship, live from Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis. from Aug. 12-15, with television, online and mobile access to the year’s final major championship. TNT will televise 20 hours of exclusive television coverage, the most the network has ever aired for the event, including seven hours each for rounds one and two (1 – 8 p.m. ET), along with early coverage of the third and final rounds (11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET). TNT’s announcing team will feature two-time Emmy® award-winning host Ernie Johnson (play-by-play) who will joined by Ian Baker-Finch (analyst), Billy Kratzert (analyst) and Jim Huber (interviewer/essayist) in calling the Championship.  This is the 20th consecutive year, and 12th straight on TNT, that Turner Sports will air the event.

Advertising sponsors for this year’s coverage include ING, Mercedes-Benz, Northwestern Mutual, RBC and Viagra.  Mercedes-Benz and RBC both will expand on-air brand awareness with an extensive presence on PGA.com, the official site of The PGA of America, joining other online sponsors, American Airlines and Westin® Hotels & Resorts, throughout the championship coverage.

PGA Championship LIVE will once again return to the newly-redesigned PGA.com with extensive bonus coverage of the major championship from the course via three broadband channels.  For the first two rounds, PGA.com will follow the threesome of Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and defending champion of the 2009 PGA Championship Y.E. Yang (Tee times: R1, 9:20 a.m. ET/R2 2:35 p.m. ET) and the group of 2010 major champions Phil Mickelson (Masters), Graeme McDowell (U.S. Open) and Louis Oosthuizen (Open Championship) (Tee times: R1, 2:35 p.m. ET, R2, 9:20 a.m. ET).  PGA.com will also feature two marquee groups during the final two rounds. 2002 PGA Champion Rich Beem will provide commentary and analysis throughout the weekend during PGA.com’s live coverage.  This year’s field includes a record 73 international players, among 99 of the top 100 players in the latest Official World Golf Rankings and 28 major champions competing.

In addition, PGA.com’s award-winning mobile coverage will return with the PGA Championship App to provide live coverage to fans. This year’s PGA Championship App, available in the App Store, will provide live scoring and instant updates to golf fans at no charge during the 2010 PGA Championship from Aug. 12-15.  The PGA Championship app also offers in-app purchase for $1.99 where users can upgrade to exclusive access of live video for the marquee groups on all four days of play including live video streaming of the par-3 holes at Whistling Straits. The PGA Championship App utilizes advanced push notifications to help fans keep track of their favorite players without having the app open and different push notifications utilize specific sounds, which highlight the nature of the alert. The PGA Championship App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone, and iPod touch or from http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pga-championship/id325462190?mt=8 .

As previously announced, Turner Sports and The PGA of America will offer coverage of the PGA Championship in 3D on Thursday, Aug. 12 and Friday, Aug. 13, on PGA.com and through TNT’s television distributors Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications, DIRECTV and Time Warner Cable. The 3D coverage will focus on the par-3 12th and 17th holes at Whistling Straits from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (ET) each day. Host Vince Cellini will be joined by Beem to provide commentary and analysis on the holes.

“The PGA Championship is a marquee event both for the sport of golf and for Turner Sports and each year we strive to offer the most comprehensive, multiplatform coverage to fans, allowing them to follow the event on television, online or through mobile devices,” said David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.  “With the addition of 3D coverage added to the already robust, interactive offerings, we are thrilled to once again serve as trail blazers in our live event coverage.”

In its fifth consecutive year of providing live video coverage, PGA.com will host three channels of PGA Championship content on an HD quality video player that features picture-in-picture for fans to watch multiple streams at once. The PGA Championship LIVE streams will include:

  • Marquee Groups – During all four rounds PGA.com will follow select groups during their rounds. PGA.com announcers will include Marc Fein (play-by-play), Michael Breed (analyst) and Brian Katrek and Craig Sager (reporters).
  • Par 3 – Watch the world’s best golfers play the challenging Par 3’s as PGA.com isolates holes 3, 7, 12 and 17 throughout the tournament.
  • Strait Advice – PGA Professional Michael Breed will be joined by Jim Richerson, PGA, General Manager & Group Director of Golf for Kohler Co. to give hole-by-hole analysis of how players must play the course in order to win the Wanamaker Trophy.

The PGA Championship LIVE experience will also feature integrated content such as live reports and insights from PGA Professionals who will provide Twitter updates as they follow the action on the course, the ability to connect with friends on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace while watching the live footage online and a leaderboard and player scorecards which can be added to the video player page to follow all the action at once.

92nd PGA CHAMPIONSHIP: TNT AND PGA.COM SCHEDULE

TNT SCHEDULE
Show Title Thursday (8/12) Friday (8/13) Saturday (8/14) Sunday (8/15)
PGA Championship on TNT 1-8 p.m. (ET) 1-8 p.m. (ET) 11a.m.-2p.m. (ET) 11a.m.-2 p.m. (ET)
PGA.COM SCHEDULE
Show Title Thursday (8/12) Friday (8/13) Saturday (8/14) Sunday (8/15)
Marquee Groups 9a.m.-8p.m. (ET) 9a.m.-8p.m. (ET) 11a.m.-7p.m. (ET) 11a.m.-7p.m. (ET)
Par 3′s 1-8p.m. (ET) 1-8p.m. (ET) 11a.m.-7p.m. (ET) 11a.m.-7p.m. (ET)
TNT & PGA.COM 3D SCHEDULE
Show Title Thursday (8/12) Friday (8/13) Saturday (8/14) Sunday (8/15)
3D Coverage 3-7p.m. (ET) 3-7p.m. (ET) N/A N/A

TNT’s 2009 PGA Championship coverage earned significant television ratings increases on each of its four days of coverage, averaging a 1.4 US HH rating, a 75% increase over 2008. In addition, the event led PGA.com to its highest four-days in-site history for its traffic, page views and video streams, marking the most successful four days in PGA.com’s four-year history of providing live video streaming for the PGA Championship.   The site saw 1.4 million average daily uniques, a 94% increase from 2008, and 206 million total page views, a 68% increase from 2008. In addition, Turner Sports’ 2009 online golf portfolio, which included PGA.com and Yahoo!, delivered a total of 3.4 million video streams, including a record 2.4 million live player streams, a 204% increase from 2008.  Turner Sports was nominated for an Emmy® Award for its 2009 PGA Championship multiplatform coverage.

TNT, one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama.  Available in 99.6 million households, the network is home to such original series as the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick; Men of a Certain Age, with Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula; HawthoRNe, with Jada Pinkett Smith; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; and Dark Blue, starring Dylan McDermott; the upcoming Rizzoli & Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander; Memphis Beat, with Jason Lee; Southland, from Emmy®-winning producer John Wells (ER); and Saving Grace, starring Holly Hunter.  TNT also presents such powerful dramas as Bones, CSI: NY and Numb3rs; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA.  The NCAA men’s basketball tournament will appear on TNT beginning in 2011.  TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS, TNT and truTV, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com. Turner Sports’ diverse portfolio also offers a collection of mobile Web sites and apps featuring NBA, NASCAR and professional golf content, along with Turner Sports’ first branded consumer product, SportsNOW. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAUGE.com and WNBA.com.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

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Filed Under: Golf, TNT, Turner

Fred Couples, Tom Watson & Bernhard Langer Highlight Field At 2010 U.S. Senior Open This Weekend On NBC Sports

July 29, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

“You will hear shots echoing through the course when balls bounce off the trees.” – NBC Sports’ Mark Rolfing

“Global Golf Adventure” & “Golf Therapy: Life, Lessons and the Pursuit of Par” to air before Senior Open coverage on Saturday and Sunday

NEW YORK – July 29, 2010 – Fred Couples, Tom Watson and Senior British Open champion Bernhard Langer lead an impressive field at the 2010 U.S. Senior Open from Sahalee Country Club in Seattle, Wash., this Saturday and Sunday from 4-7 p.m. ET live on NBC Sports.

Host Dan Hicks and analyst Gary Koch anchor coverage from the 18th hole tower. They are joined by tower reporter Mark Rolfing, and course reporters Roger Maltbie and Dottie Pepper.

Couples, a Seattle native in his rookie year on the Champions Tour, has played nine events this year with three wins, two second-place finishes and seven Top 10s. Watson has a win and three Top 10s this year in six appearances. Langer won this past week’s Senior British Open and propelled himself into first place on the points list. The field includes other popular Champions Tour players, including: Tom Lehman, who won the Senior PGA Championship earlier this year; U.S. Ryder Cup team captain Corey Pavin, who finished second to Langer last week at the Senior British; and defending champion Fred Funk.

This is the U.S. Senior Open’s first trip to Sahalee Country Club, rated one of the top 100 courses in America. Sahalee, which means “High Heavenly Ground”, opened in 1969 among the tall majestic Cedar and Douglas Fir native to the Pacific Northwest. The club hosted the 1998 PGA Championship and the 2002 World Golf Championship-NEC invitational.

ROLFING ON U.S. SENIOR OPEN: “It’s the most important event in senior golf. When you talk to players about the one more event that that they want to win, almost to a man it’s this event.”

ROLFING ON FAVORITES: “The travel schedule from last week in Scotland to this week in the Pacific Northwest is going to be difficult. It’s a real test of stamina, both physical and mental. Experienced players will benefit. Tom Watson comes to mind. He’s been through so much…I see this more as a ball-striking week than a putting week. The course favors a player like Fred Funk.”

ROLFING ON SAHALEE: “It’s a big course. You will hear shots echoing through the course when balls bounce off the trees. It’s pretty unique. People are going to have trouble comprehending that this is a senior golf event. It’s going to feel like a U.S. Open, not a U.S. Senior Open. It will have a big event feel to it. You’re going to have to drive the ball well. It’s not a course you can really overpower. I expect experience and veteran players rising to the top by Sunday.”

Prior to its U.S. Senior Open coverage on Saturday and Sunday, NBC Sports will air two golf specials. On Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports will air the third installment of Global Golf Adventure hosted by Mark Rolfing. On Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, NBC will air Golf Therapy: Life, Lessons, and the Pursuit of Par featuring Brian Baumgartner of NBC’s The Office. Below are descriptions of each program.

GLOBAL GOLF ADVENTURE – Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET

NBC Sports will present an exciting new episode of Global Golf Adventure, a groundbreaking first-of-its kind golf, travel and adventure show produced and hosted by NBC Sports golf personality Mark Rolfing this Saturday, July 31st at 3:30 p.m. ET immediately prior to the network’s third-round live coverage of the U.S. Senior Open.

The third installment will feature Wales, host country of the 2010 Ryder Cup, and interviews with the ever popular Fred Couples and U.S. Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin, who are also competing in the U.S. Senior Open. LPGA legend Nancy Lopez will offer a golf tip for TV viewers about the importance of pre-shot routines.

“This travelogue of Wales will appeal to and captivate the golf fan and the travel enthusiast alike,” says Rolfing, a world traveler, who visited Wales for the first time for this show.  “Wales is a beautiful country with a wonderful variety of links golf destinations. The anticipation and excitement for the Ryder Cup matches this October is palpable.”

In their conversations with Rolfing, Couples reflects on his career, his longevity and his rejuvenated golf game on the Champions Tour, while Pavin shares thoughts on his preparations and predictions for the 2010 Ryder Cup.

Couples On Why His Game Has Been Rejuvenated at 50: “You know when I got out here in ’80 (rookie year), I didn’t know if I’d be out here in ’81 or ‘82 and now we’re 2010 still grinding. My game with the help of the equipment really has gotten better…why that is I don’t know. I seem to hit better shots, I’m not nearly as erratic. And when I feel good, I really feel like I can compete at a high level.”

GOLF THERAPY: LIFE, LESSONS, AND THE PURSUIT OF PAR – Sunday, 3 p.m. ET

“Golf Therapy” opens with Brian Baumgartner (“The Office”), who is an avid golfer in real life, confiding in his therapist that he’s having nightmares about his annual appearance in the American Century Championship, an annual Lake Tahoe celebrity golf tournament.

To prepare him for the event, Brian’s shrink, played by Rachael Harris (“The Hangover”), sends him to visit with superstar athletes who offer mental and physical tips to elevate his golf game.

Baumgartner: “This project has been an amazing experience for me. My goal is to create content for television that is funny, but utilizes the unique voice of current and past stars from the world of sports. I could not be more pleased.”

Among Baumgartner’s celebrity coaches are: Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers center), CC Sabathia (New York Yankees pitcher), Michael Strahan (former New York Giants defensive lineman), and Nastia Liukin (U.S. Olympic Gold Medal-winning gymnast), Justin Tuck (New York Giants defensive lineman), Laila Ali (boxer and daughter of Muhammad Ali), Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers quarterback), and Ozzie Smith (Major League Baseball Hall of Famer).

Filed Under: Golf, NBC

Turner Sports and The PGA to Offer 3D Coverage of the 92nd PGA Championship Through PGA.com and TNT’s Television Distributors

July 28, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Turner Sports and The PGA to Offer 3D Coverage of the 92nd PGA Championship Through PGA.com and TNT’s Television Distributors

Vince Cellini to host coverage alongside 2002 PGA Champion Rich Beem

Turner Sports and The PGA of America announced today they will offer coverage of the 92nd PGA Championship in 3D on Thursday, Aug. 12 and Friday, Aug. 13, on PGA.com and through TNT’s television distributors Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications, DIRECTV, and Time Warner Cable. The 3D coverage will focus on the par-3 12th and 17th holes at Whistling Straits from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET each day. Host Vince Cellini who will be joined by 2002 PGA Champion Rich Beem will provide commentary and analysis on the holes. Beem also will provide analysis throughout the weekend during PGA.com’s extensive 2D online offerings.

The 3D production will utilize eight cameras produced specifically for 3D that will provide a unique look at course action and give fans a one-of-a-kind visual experience to watch the world’s best golfers play the course’s challenging par-3s. In order to experience

the event in 3D, viewers will need a 3D TV or PC display with matching 3D glasses. Fans can visit http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2010/3d to get more information about the hardware and software used to view the 3D production online.

In addition to 3D coverage, Turner Sports will also offer 20 hours of television coverage on TNT, live 2D coverage on PGA.com and on mobile devices, with additional details to be announced at a later date.

“At Turner Sports we continually look to provide the fan with an innovative viewing experience through our ability to test and explore new opportunities,” said Lenny Daniels, Turner Sports EVP and COO. “The PGA Championship has always been a platform for forward thinking and interactive technology. During previous PGA Championship coverage on TNT and PGA.com, we have introduced our marquee follow coverage, live streaming action through mobile apps and included social networking within our linear broadcast. Introducing 3D coverage to this crown jewel event allows us another opportunity to better serve our audience and add to our multitude of platforms.”

“The PGA Championship has perennially been the source of many of the game’s most special moments,” said PGA of America Director of Broadcast & New Media Casey Morton. “The addition of 3D television and online technology unfolding at Whistling Straits, a spectacular venue for viewers, is yet another new level of excitement for fans to follow the world’s premier players. We anticipate that the addition of this bonus for viewers opens another chapter in PGA Championship tradition.”

Each year during the PGA Championship, Turner provides fans with an exclusive and interactive viewing experience combining television, online and mobile.  Through TNT’s four days of coverage, the ability to follow marquee groups live on PGA.com and instant player alerts and notifications on the PGA Championship iPhone app, fans get an all-access pass for all the tournament action.

About PGA.com

PGA.com is the official online destination for The PGA of America and is home to the PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship, The PGA Grand Slam of Golf and The Ryder Cup. Beginning in 2002, Turner Sports and the PGA formed a multi-year alliance with a mission to serve the golfing public, PGA Professionals and the golf industry with products and services to grow the game of golf.  The two organizations recently expanded the deal through 2019 to include licensing with Turner’s Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) serving as the PGA’s licensing agent in the youth marketplace. As a leader and innovator in broadband golf coverage, PGA.com continues to gain success for its PGA.com LIVE video presentation of PGA’s premier events. In 2007 PGA.com Pipeline LIVE was nominated for an Emmy® by the National Television Academy. In 2009, PGA.com’s on air, online and mobile coverage of the PGA Championship was nominated for an Emmy® by the National Television Academy and was awarded a CommArts Interactive award for the PGA Championship LIVE video and the PGA Championship iPhone app.

About Turner Sports

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS, TNT and truTV, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com. Turner Sports’ diverse portfolio also offers a collection of mobile Web sites and apps featuring NBA, NASCAR and professional golf content, along with Turner Sports’ first branded consumer product, SportsNOW. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAUGE.com and WNBA.com.

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Filed Under: Golf, TNT
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