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“GOLF CENTRAL LIVE FROM THE RYDER CUP” ON GOLF CHANNEL KICKS OFF NBC SPORTS’ WEEK-LONG COVERAGE OF 43RD RYDER CUP

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More Than 100 Hours of Live Tournament and Studio Coverage Begins With Live From The Ryder Cup Today at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel

Cracking The Code – New Documentary on 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup Team Captained by Paul Azinger – Debuts Tonight at 9 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel Following Live From the Ryder Cup

“These will be the weeks you remember more than any others, because these weeks are bigger than yourself.” – On-Course Reporter and Six-Time U.S. Ryder Cup Caddie John Wood on Memories of The Ryder Cup

Transcript – NBC Sports Golf Commentators Preview the 43rd Ryder Cup

STAMFORD, Conn. – September 20, 2021 – NBC Sports begins its comprehensive week-long coverage of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits Golf Club in Kohler, Wis., with GOLF Central Live From the Ryder Cup today at 4 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel.

Following tonight’s 7 p.m. ET edition of Live From The Ryder Cup, GOLF Channel will premiere its new documentary, Cracking The Code – the inside story of captain Paul Azinger’s groundbreaking strategy inspired by the Navy Seals to reinvent the idea of the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2008 – tonight at 9 p.m. ET. Click here to watch a preview of Cracking The Code.

NBC Sports will present coverage from the first tee shot of the Ryder Cup to the final putt from Friday-Sunday, totaling 100-plus hours of live coverage during Ryder Cup week from Whistling Straits including on-site studio coverage and featured groups.

Over the course of the week, more than 35 on-air talent provide live commentary throughout live event and studio coverage across NBC, GOLF Channel, and Peacock. Click here for more information on NBC Sports’ live event and studio on-air teams for the 43rd Ryder Cup.

CRACKING THE CODE – NEW DOCUMENTARY ON 2008 U.S. RYDER CUP TEAM CAPTAINED BY PAUL AZINGER – DEBUTS TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. ET ON GOLF CHANNEL

Debuting on GOLF Channel tonight at 9 p.m. ET following Live From the Ryder Cup, Cracking the Code details how Paul Azinger enlisted the help of clinical therapist Dr. Ron Braund, using personality tests and the now-famed “pod system,” to structure the American team that ultimately went on to upset the European team at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville.

Cracking The Code was filmed extensively at Valhalla Golf Club and includes interviews with 2008 Ryder Cup captains Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo; U.S. Ryder Cup assistant captain Olin Browne; 2008 Ryder Cup team members Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry, Stewart Cink, Boo Weekley, and J.B. Holmes; 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup caddies and current NBC Sports on-course reporters Jim “Bones” Mackay and John Wood; and NBC Sports’ Dan Hicks and Gary Koch.


INSIDE ‘THE ROOM’ AND 20 YEARS’ WORTH OF RYDER CUP MEMORIES FROM JOHN WOOD

NBC Sports on-course reporter and six-time U.S. Ryder Cup caddie John Wood shared 20 years of Ryder Cup memories in an article for GOLFChannel.com earlier today. In the piece, Wood discusses his passion and love for the Ryder Cup, what it meant to him to be a caddie for six Ryder Cup teams and an assistant for a seventh, and shares some unique insights that only someone inside “The Room” can truly speak to. Following are excerpts from the article:

Wood about the uniqueness of the Ryder Cup: “Jordan Spieth will play in the Masters for the next 25-30 years. Justin Thomas will be in the PGA for a long, long time… But you know how many Ryder Cups they’re guaranteed to play in going forward? One. Just this one, just this week…treat it like it’s your last one and give everything you have to the team for the entire week because two years from now, you have no idea if you’ll be back. And when you’re all done, playing these will be the weeks you remember more than any others, because these weeks are bigger than yourself.

Wood on “The Room”: “The Room is something you cannot possibly understand unless you’ve been in one. When I hear criticisms and critiques from those who have never been lucky enough to be in a Team Room, I always have to say to myself, ‘You have no idea’… It is in The Room where I have seen players win matches they weren’t even playing in because of a word they said the night before to a teammate, because of a little needle or a word of praise during a practice round on Tuesday, in a phone call when they were picked for the team.”


NBC SPORTS GOLF COMMENTATORS PREVIEW 43RD RYDER CUP

Last week, NBC Sports play-by-play commentator Dan Hicks, analysts Paul Azinger and Justin Leonard, on-course reporter John Wood, and producer Tommy Roy previewed the upcoming 43rd Ryder Cup on a media conference call. Click here for a full transcript.

–NBC SPORTS–

NOTES AND QUOTES – LIVE FROM THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP ON GOLF CHANNEL

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“The only way you’re ever going to play well here is if you hit bombs. Well, Brandel, I hit bombs.” – 2021 PGA Championship Winner Phil Mickelson on the Live From set

“He just has something in his DNA. He knows how to get it done. He’s incredibly comfortable on these big stages.” – Jim “Bones” Mackay

“This felt even more unlikely to me (than Tiger Woods’ ’08 U.S. Open win).” – Justin Leonard

“Old age? Hell no. Just well-aged.” – Rich Lerner

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 23, 2021 – GOLF Channel’s Live From the PGA Championship recapped Phil Mickelson’s historic win at the 2021 PGA Championship from The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island on Sunday evening, as Mickelson became the oldest player in history to win a major championship.

Mickelson joined Rich Lerner, Brandel Chamblee and Justin Leonard on Live From to discuss his victory. Jim “Bones” Mackay – current GOLF Channel and NBC on-course reporter and former long-time caddie for Mickelson – also joined the program to share his unique perspective on Mickelson’s win.

Chamblee to Mickelson: “What was the biggest bomb and most hellacious seed you hit this week?”

Mickelson: “Well this is the longest course ever played in a major championship. The only way you’re ever going to play well here is if you hit bombs. Well, Brandel, I hit bombs.” 

Mackay: “I’ve been telling people for several years that I thought Phil would win a major in his 50s, but I thought it would be The Masters…he never ceases to surprise you, or me, or anyone. He has an incredible will to win.”

Mackay: “This is a guy that when I went to work for him in 1992 said to me, ‘Hey listen man, I’m going to win a lot.’ He just has something in his DNA. He knows how to get it done. He’s incredibly comfortable on these big stages. His brother did an amazing job (caddying) out there today. I thought that when Phil’s second shot trickled in the water on 13 and Tim got right in his ear pumping him up, telling him to stay focused, I thought it was very impressive on multiple levels.”

Mackay on Mickelson’s prospects at the U.S. Open: “You can’t put anything past the guy. He hasn’t had the best record (at Torrey Pines) since the redo, but he’s played there so many times, and he is going to be going into that tournament with more momentum than anyone…he’s going to be as charged up as you can possibly be and he’s going to be feeling bulletproof. Look out.”

Chamblee on his play entering the PGA Championship: “Phil was not playing the best golf of his life. His game was in shatters when he came in here. He wasn’t driving it well, wasn’t ironing it well, wasn’t putting it well, wasn’t doing anything well. And then somehow, if by magic, he found fairways.”

Chamblee: “At 50 years of age, Phil has power. It was about three years ago that his power had gone down…he was right on the cusp being ‘game over’…inexplicably, he went on this distance run which took time, took energy, took passion…I’ll be curious to see how much credit he gives to his chase for distance to sort of delay his aging process and turn back time.”

Leonard: “I’ve been blessed to be on the grounds either playing or covering all of Phil and Tiger’s major championship victories. This felt even more unlikely to me (than Tiger Woods’ U.S. Open win in ’08) because of the venue…also because of the state of Phil’s game. He showed no form coming here. It was remarkable.”

Lerner: “Old age? Hell no. Just well-aged.”

–NBC SPORTS–

GOLF CENTRAL LIVE FROM THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP HIGHLIGHTS 30+ HOURS OF COVERAGE FROM KIAWAH ISLAND THIS WEEK ON GOLF CHANNEL

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30+ Hours of News, Features and Analysis From The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island on GOLF Channel Begins Today

Live Primetime Studio Coverage Each Night at 7 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel

Features on 30th Anniversaries of John Daly’s PGA Championship Win and ’91 Ryder Cup, Jordan Spieth’s Resurgence, and Defending Champ Collin Morikawa

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 17, 2021 – GOLF Channel will surround the 103rd PGA Championship with more than 30 hours of live studio coverage on GOLF Central Live From the PGA Championship on-site from The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island.

GOLF Central Live From the PGA Championship will provide wall-to-wall live coverage on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by post-round analysis and insights each night on GOLF Channel following the conclusion of play.

GOLF Central Live From the PGA Championship Broadcast Team

  • Hosts: Rich Lerner, Cara Banks
  • Analysts: Brandel Chamblee, Justin Leonard, David Duval, Notah Begay, Paige Mackenzie, Arron Oberholser
  • Reports/Interviews: Todd Lewis, Jaime Diaz, Damon Hack, Steve Burkowski, Ryan Lavner, Rex Hoggard

Date

 Golf Central – Live From the PGA Championship*

Monday, May 17

 12-2 p.m. / 7-9 p.m.

Tuesday, May 18

 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. / 7-9 p.m.

Wednesday, May 19

 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. / 7-9 p.m.
Thursday, May 20

7-9 p.m.
Friday, May 21

7-9 p.m.
Saturday, May 22

7-9 p.m.
Sunday, May 23

7-9  p.m.

*all times ET, post-round coverage begins following conclusion of play

PGA Championship news coverage also will be complemented by several dedicated features appearing within Golf Central Live From the PGA Championship, as well as across GOLF Channel’s digital and social media platforms, including:

 

  • Jordan Spieth – An essay penned by Rich Lerner on Spieth’s journey throughout his career and the opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam at Kiawah Island.

 

  • John Daly – Thirty years since his improbable victory, GOLF Channel examines John Daly’s improbable journey just to make it into the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick as the ninth alternate.

 

  • Collin Morikawa – Interviews with former Cal Golden Bear teammates on the defending PGA Champion, following his path from Berkeley to the PGA TOUR.

 

  • Kiawah Island History – A look back at the history and evolution of Kiawah Island and the famous Pete Dye course.

 

  • War By The Shore – Also marking a 30-year anniversary, this feature shines a light on the iconic 1991 Ryder Cup match at Kiawah Island.

 

  • Grand Slam – Rich Lerner and Jaime Diaz examine the history and origins of the term “Grand Slam” in golf, highlighting the legends of the game who have accomplished the impressive feat.

–NBC SPORTS–

 

NBC SPORTS GROUP’S COVERAGE OF 42ND RYDER CUP FROM PARIS LED BY NEARLY 30 LIVE HOURS FROM FIRST TEE SHOT TO FINAL PUTT

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Six Past Ryder Cup Participants Highlight NBC Sports’ Broadcast Team;

Network’s Popular “Playing Through” Commercial Format Returns

 

Golf Films’ Famous 5 Premieres Tonight at 9 p.m. ET, Detailing

How Five European Golfers Collectively Reinvigorated the Ryder Cup

 

GUYANCOURT, France, (Sept. 24, 2018) – Tonight, NBC Sports Group will kick off its weeklong coverage of the Ryder Cup from Le Golf National outside of Paris, with the premiere of its latest Golf Films’ project, Famous 5, airing at 9 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. The network’s comprehensive approach surrounding the biennial international competition will be led by nearly 30 hours of its Emmy-nominated live event coverage, spanning from Friday morning’s opening tee shot just after 2 a.m. ET through the clinching point on Sunday. The United States will look to retain the Ryder Cup after defeating Europe in 2016 (17-11), and aim to win for the first time on European soil in 25 years, since 1993.

“Golf is experiencing tremendous momentum and NBC Sports is carrying this throughout comprehensive coverage of the Ryder Cup,” said Mike McCarley, president, Golf, NBC Sports. “The Ryder Cup is sui generis, bringing both pride and pressure for competitors who rarely compete as a team in front of raucous crowds – and we anticipate one of the most intense scenes ever in Paris. Our aim is to super-serve our audience from the intensity of the first tee to the pressure-packed deciding putt.”

SIX PAST RYDER CUP PARTICIPANTS LEAD NBC SPORTS’ BROADCAST TEAM:

Led by the deepest and most-experienced roster of analysts, hosts, reporters and personalities in the game, NBC Sports’ live competition and news coverage will feature six commentators having previously competed in the Ryder Cup. The group of analysts (Nick Faldo, David Feherty, Jim Gallagher Jr., Peter Jacobsen, Justin Leonard and Johnny Miller) collectively made 20 appearances as competitors, in addition to Faldo serving as Captain of the European team in 2008. Together they accumulated 38.5 points, led by Faldo’s Ryder Cup-record of 25 points. *Full broadcast teams outlined below*

“PLAYING THROUGH” RETURNS: Initially debuting at the 2016 Ryder Cup to enhance both the viewership and commercial experience, NBC Sports’ popular “Playing Through” split-screen commercial format returns for the Ryder Cup, to ensure viewers don’t miss key stretches of the action during commercial breaks.

GOLF CHANNEL’S COMPREHENSIVE WRAPAROUND NEWS COVERAGE: Called “the best 19th hole in television golf” by Golf Digest, Golf Central’s Live From the Ryder Cup platform will headline nearly 100 hours of comprehensive news coverage throughout the week. Morning Drive will complement the network’s news coverage through Thursday, leading up to the start of competition on Friday. Coverage also will incorporate a number of dedicated features to highlight the unique theater surrounding the event, including:

  • United States’ 25-Year Drought on European Soil: It’s been 25 years since the American team has won the Ryder Cup outside of the United States, dating back to their victory at The Belfry in 1993. A close examination explores the factors contributing to the streak of defeat.
  • McIlroy vs. Reed in 2016: A look back at the unforgettable match between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed at Hazeltine in 2016, led by entertaining emotional outbursts and constant shifts in momentum.
  • Bubba’s Resurgence: Bubba Watson will make his fourth Ryder Cup appearance this week (as an automatic qualifier), thanks to his three PGA TOUR victories in 2018. The piece reflects on his standing this week, and how it’s a stark contrast to Hazeltine two years ago where he failed to earn a captain’s pick despite – at the time – being the No. 7 ranked player in the world.
  • Complex Absence Ends for Casey: When Paul Casey tees it up as a member of the European team this week, it’ll mark his first appearance in the Ryder Cup in 10 years. The piece explores his complicated journey back to the biennial competition, and the circumstances that shaped his return.
  • Captains’ Profiles: Bjorn & Furyk: Offering a closer look at the personalities of the men captaining the respective teams, Thomas Bjorn (Europe) and Jim Furyk (United States). The piece also details their collective history in the Ryder Cup.

GOLF FILMS’ FAMOUS 5 PREMIERES TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. ET: Premiering tonight at 9 p.m. ET, Golf Channel will showcase its latest Golf Films project, Famous 5, outlining how five European golfers – born within 11 months of one another – collectively helped revitalize the Ryder Cup. Famous 5 was described as “a raucous, impassioned struggle filled with compelling stories” by Golfweek and as “a Golden Era of European Golf” via The Comeback. The five (Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam) each were adorned with their own unique personality and style of play, but together, in many ways were responsible for injecting much-needed relevance into the (at the time) overwhelmingly one-sided Ryder Cup. Famous 5 visits each of their hometowns and explores their unique and non-traditional introductions to the game and ascensions to the pinnacle of European golf.

THE MEN IN BLAZERS RETURN TO SHINE SPOTLIGHT ON THE RYDER CUP: Continuing their contributions to the golf landscape during the game’s biggest weeks, NBC Sports’ critically-acclaimed The Men In Blazers – Roger Bennett and Michael Davies – return this week to provide Ryder Cup-focused digital content surrounding the competition. Elements are led by a face-to-face interview with United States captain Jim Furyk, who recently paid a visit to the duo’s Panic Room studio. Rog and Davo also offer to help differentiate Ryder Cup fans from the traditional golf public.

PAST RYDER CUP CAPTAINS CONVENE FOR ROUNDTABLE PREVIEW: Tonight at 11:30 p.m. ET on Golf Channel, four past Ryder Cup captains will take part in a roundtable discussion on a new episode of PGA TOUR Champions Learning Center. Darren Clarke, Davis Love III, Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin join host Vince Cellini to discuss a number of topics, including what has kept the United States from winning in Europe for the past 25 years and the impending impact of Tiger Woods’ return to the U.S. team this week. Montgomerie also expands upon his declaration earlier this year that the current roster is the best European Ryder Cup team ever assembled, and the group offer predictions for how the competition will play out come Sunday.

DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA COVERAGE: Golf Channel Digital will feature expanded coverage from its team of writers on-site at Le Golf National: Jay Coffin, Will Gray, Rex Hoggard and Ryan Lavner. Coverage also will include up-to-the-minute scoring updates, features, analysis and reaction to emerging storylines and photo galleries. Chantel McCabe, Brian Bateman and Tripp Isenhour will provide previews, analysis and news coverage via Golf Channel Digital, originating from Golf Channel’s world headquarters in Orlando, Fla., including “Instant Analysis” once matches get underway on Friday.

Golf Channel’s social media coverage will be highlighted by custom-content from on-site at Le Golf National. Social media influencer Conor Moore once again will offer his distinct impersonations, including spoofs depicting popular movie scenes through the eyes of Ryder Cup competitors. Golf Channel social media host Alexandra O’Laughlin also will provide unique content from on-site, and be joined by social media correspondent Nikki Bondura. O’Laughlin will highlight anticipation at the event early on in the week across Golf Channel’s social media platforms, while Bondura will host a 1st tee show on Facebook Live for Golf Channel leading up to each session of matches, showcasing the energy and excitement of the crowd while previewing the upcoming matches.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMING: Golf Channel will produce international Ryder Cup news programming from its Orlando World Headquarters in both Japanese and Mandarin, featuring reports and custom content throughout the week. These productions will complement the international distribution of Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup, which is distributed to markets within Golf Channel’s worldwide footprint of nearly 500 million households in more than 80 countries and nine languages around the world.

NBC Sports Live Competition Broadcast Team Tom Abbott, Notah Begay, Curt Byrum, Nick Faldo, David Feherty, Terry Gannon, Dan Hicks, Peter Jacobsen, Gary Koch, Justin Leonard, Jim “Bones” Mackay, Roger Maltbie, Johnny Miller, Jimmy Roberts, Mark Rolfing, Steve Sands
Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup Broadcast Team Cara Banks, Notah Begay, Steve Burkowski, Ryan Burr, Brandel Chamblee, Jaime Diaz, Nick Faldo, Jim Gallagher Jr., Justin Leonard, Rich Lerner, Todd Lewis, Frank Nobilo, Mark Rolfing, Tim Rosaforte, Ken Schofield
Golf Channel Digital Jay Coffin, Will Gray, Rex Hoggard, Ryan Lavner
Social Media Contributors Nikki Bondura, Conor Moore, Alexandra O’Laughlin

 

NBC SPORTS GROUP 2018 RYDER CUP PROGRAMMING AIRTIMES (EASTERN):

 

Monday, Sept. 24

7-9:30 a.m.                             Morning Drive                                                            Golf Channel

9 p.m.                                      Famous 5                                                                    Golf Channel

 

Tuesday, Sept. 25

6-10 a.m.                                 Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup                     Golf Channel

10 a.m.-Noon                          Morning Drive                                                            Golf Channel

Noon-2 p.m.                            Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup                     Golf Channel

 

Wednesday, Sept. 26

6-10 a.m.                                 Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup                     Golf Channel

10 a.m.-Noon                          Morning Drive                                                            Golf Channel

Noon-2 p.m.                            Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup                     Golf Channel

 

Thursday, Sept. 27

6-9 a.m.                                   Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup                     Golf Channel

9-11 a.m.                                 Morning Drive                                                            Golf Channel

11 a.m.-1 p.m.                        Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup                     Golf Channel

 

Friday, Sept. 28

Midnight-2 a.m.                     Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup                     Golf Channel

2 a.m.-1 p.m.                          2018 Ryder Cup – Day 1                                            Golf Channel

1-3 p.m.                                  Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup                     Golf Channel

 

Saturday, Sept. 29

Midnight-2 a.m.                     Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup                     Golf Channel

2-3 a.m.                                   2018 Ryder Cup – Day 2                                            Golf Channel

3 a.m.-1 p.m.                          2018 Ryder Cup – Day 2                                            NBC

1-3 p.m.                                  Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup                     Golf Channel

 

Sunday, Sept. 30

4-6 a.m.                                   Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup                     Golf Channel

6 a.m.-1 p.m.                          2018 Ryder Cup – Final Day                                      NBC

1-3 p.m.                                  Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup                     Golf Channel

 

-NBC Sports Group-