Golf

RECORD COVERAGE OF THE AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN’S AMATEUR AND DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT NATIONAL FINALS PRESENTED NEXT WEEK LIVE ON NBC, PEACOCK AND GOLF CHANNEL

March 23, 2023 By admin Leave a Comment

Augusta National Women’s Amateur Final Round on Saturday, April 1, Live at Noon ET on NBC and Peacock

For The First Time Ever, First and Second Round Coverage at Champions Retreat Golf Club Live on GOLF Channel and Peacock on Wednesday, March 29, and Thursday, March 30

Five Hours of Live Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals Coverage from Augusta National Golf Club Begins Sunday, April 2, at 8 a.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock

Live From Augusta National Women’s Amateur On-Site Coverage Presented Friday, March 31, at 1 p.m. ET & Saturday, April 1, at 10 a.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 23, 2023 – NBC Sports presents record coverage of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals from Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., next week with more than 15 hours of event and studio coverage on NBC, Peacock and GOLF Channel.

For the first time, NBC Sports will present live coverage of the first and second rounds of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur from Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta on GOLF Channel and Peacock on Wednesday, March 29, and Thursday, March 30, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. ET, with the final round from Augusta National Golf Club airing live Saturday, April 1, from noon-3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN’S AMATEUR

A field of 72 of the best women’s amateurs from around the world will play two rounds at Champions Retreat before the leading 30 players and ties compete in the final round at Augusta National for the title.

First and second round coverage will be presented on GOLF Channel and Peacock on Wednesday, March 29, and Thursday, March 30, at 1:30 p.m. ET. Cara Banks will call first and second round action with 2005 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Morgan Pressel, three-time NCAA All-American Paige Mackenzie, and Steve Burkowski.

The star-studded field features 24 of the top 25 players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, including World No. 1 Rose Zhang (Stanford), 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion Anna Davis, 2021 Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion Tsubasa Kajitani, 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur runners-up and LSU teammates Ingrid Lindblad and Latanna Stone, Amari Avery (USC), and Megha Ganne (Stanford).

NBC, Peacock & GOLF Channel Broadcast Team

Play by Play: Mike Tirico / Cara Banks
Analyst: Morgan Pressel
Holes: Paige Mackenzie / Steve Burkowski
On-Course: Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay
Interviews: Cara Banks

How To Watch – Wednesday, March 29 – Saturday, April 1 (all times ET)

TV – NBC, GOLF Channel
Streaming – Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app

Day	NBC/Peacock	GOLF Channel/Peacock
Wednesday, March 29		1:30-3:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 30		1:30-3:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 1	Noon-3:30 p.m.

DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT NATIONAL FINALS

The Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals from Augusta National Golf Club, featuring 40 boys and 40 girls competing in four age divisions, will be presented live on Sunday, April 2, across five hours of coverage beginning at 8 a.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock.

Emilia Migliaccio (Wake Forest) will be pulling double duty this week, competing in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur before joining the GOLF Channel and Peacock broadcast team as a chip analyst on Drive, Chip and Putt coverage.

GOLF Channel & Peacock Broadcast Team

Play by Play: Mike Tirico
Analysts: Paige Mackenzie / Peter Jacobsen
Drive Analyst: Arron Oberholser
Chip Analyst: Emilia Migliaccio

How To Watch – Sunday, April 2 (all times ET)

TV – GOLF Channel
Streaming – Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app

Day	GOLF Channel/Peacock
Sunday, April 2	8 a.m.-1 p.m.

BROADCAST NOTES

Live From Augusta National Women’s Amateur: Live From Augusta National Women’s Amateur will provide on-site pre-tournament coverage from Augusta National Golf Club on GOLF Channel and Peacock Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1. Anna Jackson will host both days alongside Brandel Chamblee and Beth Ann Nichols.

Day	*Live From Augusta National Women’s Amateur*
Friday, March 31	1-3 p.m.
Saturday, April 1	10 a.m.-Noon

Ahead of next week’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur and Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, studio coverage will be highlighted by several feature pieces, including:

Sit-down interviews with 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur runners-up Ingrid Lindblad and Latanna Stone and their roles on the LSU golf program;
An inside look at reigning Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion Anna Davis and growing up playing the sport of golf with her twin brother Billy Davis in Chewelah, Wash.;
A story on Maya Gaudin’s upbringing and her connection with Rory McIlroy;
Ha Young Chang’s relationship with her father, Minku Chang, in practicing taekwondo and how success in the sport is similar to golf.

–NBC SPORTS–

NBC SPORTS GOLF CENTRAL LIVE FROM THE MASTERS MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL – TUESDAY, MARCH 28, AT 2 P.M. ET

March 23, 2023 By admin Leave a Comment

Commentators Rich Lerner, Brandel Chamblee and Notah Begay III

Dial 786-697-3501; Passcode: NBC Sports

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 23, 2023 – NBC Sports golf commentators Rich Lerner, Brandel Chamblee, and Notah Begay III will preview the upcoming 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on a media conference call on Tuesday, March 28, at 2 p.m. ET.

NBC Sports will surround the 2023 Masters with Golf Central Live From The Masters on GOLF Channel, beginning Monday, April 3, at 2 p.m. ET through Sunday, April 9. In total, NBC Sports will provide more than 55 hours of live studio coverage Monday-Sunday on GOLF Channel and Peacock, with nearly 20 hosts, analysts, and reporters contributing to the week-long coverage.

Media interested in participating should call 786-697-3501; Passcode: NBC Sports.

- WHAT: NBC Sports Live From The Masters Media Conference Call
- WHO: Rich Lerner, Brandel Chamblee, Notah Begay III
- WHEN: Tuesday, March 28, at 2 p.m. ET
- NUMBER: 786-697-3501
- PASSCODE: NBC Sports

Chamblee will also serve as a studio analyst for NBC Sports’ coverage of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. For the first time, NBC Sports will present live first and second-round coverage from Champions Retreat on Wednesday, March 29 and Thursday, March 30, on GOLF Channel and Peacock before final round coverage on Saturday, April 1 at noon ET on NBC and Peacock.

—NBC SPORTS—

WGC-DELL TECHNOLOGIES MATCH PLAY HIGHLIGHTS NBC SPORTS’ GOLF COVERAGE ON NBC, PEACOCK AND GOLF CHANNEL THIS WEEK

March 21, 2023 By admin Leave a Comment

64 of the Top Players in the World Set to Compete in Only Match-Play Event of PGA TOUR Season at Austin Country Club in Texas; Live Coverage Begins Tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock

PGA TOUR’s Corales Puntacana Championship Live Coverage From Dominican Republic Begins Thursday at 10:30 a.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock

LPGA Tour Season Continues at LPGA Drive On Championship From Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club in Arizona; Coverage Begins Thursday in Primetime at 9 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock

PGA TOUR Champions’ The Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club in California Coverage Tees Off Friday at 11 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 21, 2023 – The PGA TOUR’s only match-play event of the year, the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, is presented this week at Austin Country Club in Texas highlighting live golf tournament coverage across NBC, Peacock and GOLF Channel.

PGA TOUR: WGC-DELL TECHNOLOGIES MATCH PLAY

The star-studded field of 64 players teeing it up at the 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play includes World No. 1 and defending event winner Scottie Scheffler, World No. 2 Jon Rahm, World No. 3 and 2015 event winner Rory McIlroy, and World No. 4 Patrick Cantlay.

34 hours of live coverage begins tomorrow through Friday at 2 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock. Weekend coverage gets underway at 10 a.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock before transitioning to NBC and Peacock.

NBC, GOLF Channel & Peacock Broadcast Team

Play by Play: Dan Hicks / Steve Sands
Analyst: Paul Azinger / Brad Faxon
Holes: Curt Byrum / Jimmy Roberts
On-Course: John Wood / Notah Begay III / Smylie Kaufman
Interviews/Reports: Damon Hack

How To Watch – Wednesday, March 22 – Sunday, March 26 (all times ET)

TV – NBC, GOLF Channel
Streaming – Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app

Day	NBC/Peacock	GOLF Channel/Peacock
Wednesday		2-8 p.m.
Thursday		2-8 p.m.
Friday		2-8 p.m.
Saturday	Noon-6 p.m.	10 a.m.-Noon
Sunday	3-7 p.m.	10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Notable Players This Week

Scottie Scheffler
Jon Rahm
Rory McIlroy
Patrick Cantlay
Jordan Spieth
Collin Morikawa
Xander Schauffele
Max Homa
Will Zalatoris

PGA TOUR: CORALES PUNTACANA CHAMPIONSHIP

The PGA TOUR’s opposite-field event this week is the Corales Puntacana Championship at the Puntacana Resort & Club (Corales Course) in the Dominican Republic. The past two winners of the event – Joel Dahmen (2021) and Chad Ramey (2022) – will be in the field.

Live coverage begins Thursday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock.

GOLF Channel & Peacock Broadcast Team

Play by Play: Justin Kutcher
Analyst: Johnson Wagner
Holes: Tripp Isenhour
On-Course: Billy Ray Brown / Ned Michaels

How To Watch – Thursday, March 23 – Sunday, March 26 (all times ET)

TV – GOLF Channel
Streaming – Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app

Day	GOLF Channel/Peacock
Thursday	10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Friday	10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Saturday	2-5 p.m.
Sunday	2-5 p.m.

Notable Players This Week

Joel Dahmen
Chad Ramey
Jason Dufner
Charley Hoffman
Harry Higgs
Chesson Hadley
Jhonattan Vegas

LPGA TOUR: LPGA DRIVE ON CHAMPIONSHIP

The 2023 LPGA Tour season continues this week with the LPGA Drive On Championship at Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club in Gold Canyon, Ariz. Leona Maguire earned her first LPGA Tour victory and was the first woman from Ireland to win in the Tour’s history at this event in 2022.

Opening round coverage gets underway Thursday in primetime at 9 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock.

GOLF Channel & Peacock Broadcast Team

Play by Play: Grant Boone
Analyst: Karen Stupples
Holes: Tom Abbott
On-Course: Paige Mackenzie / Kay Cockerill

How To Watch – Thursday, March 23 – Sunday, March 26 (all times ET)

TV – GOLF Channel
Streaming – Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app

Day	GOLF Channel/Peacock	Streaming
Thursday	9-11 p.m.*	6-9 p.m.
Friday	9-11 p.m.*	6-9 p.m.
Saturday	7-9 p.m.	6-7 p.m.
Sunday	7-9 p.m.	6-7 p.m.

*delayed coverage

Notable Players This Week

Nelly Korda
Lexi Thompson
Danielle Kang
Jin Young Ko
Brooke Henderson
Jennifer Kupcho
Leona Maguire

PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS: THE GALLERI CLASSIC

The inaugural playing of The Galleri Classic on the PGA TOUR Champions will be held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., this week.

First round coverage begins Friday at 11 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock.

How To Watch – Friday, March 24 – Sunday, March 26 (all times ET)

TV – GOLF Channel
Streaming – Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app

Day	GOLF Channel/Peacock
Friday	11 p.m.-1 a.m.*
Saturday	5-7 p.m.
Sunday	5-7 p.m.

*delayed coverage

Notable Players This Week

Bernhard Langer
Ernie Els
John Daly
Vijay Singh
Fred Couples
Jim Furyk

BEYOND THE FAIRWAY

NBC Sports’ Beyond The Fairway podcast has returned for a third season with professional golfers Doug Smith and Will Lowery hosting the series alongside former professional golfer Henni Koyack. Throughout the season, Smith, Lowery, and Koyack will provide honest and candid discussions on hot-button topics inside and outside the world of golf, plus interview celebrities, athletes and golf influencers about what drives their passion for this great game and how to move it forward.

Click here to listen to the latest episode.

BROADCAST NOTES

Golf Central will provide pre- and post-tournament coverage on GOLF Channel Tuesday-Sunday. Golf Central coverage is anchored by Rich Lerner, George Savaricas, Brandel Chamblee, Mark Rolfing, Jaime Diaz, Tripp Isenhour, and Todd Lewis.
Post-round editions of Golf Central will stream exclusively on Peacock immediately following the conclusion of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET and Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. Encores will be presented on GOLF Channel both evenings at 9 p.m. ET.
Golf Today on Wednesday will be hosted by Eamon Lynch, Savaricas, and Lewis.

Day	*Golf Central*	*Golf Today*
Tuesday	4-5 p.m.
Wednesday	Noon-2 p.m. / 8-9 p.m.	10 a.m.-Noon
Thursday	1:30-2 p.m. / 8-9 p.m.
Friday	1:30-2 p.m. / 8-9 p.m.
Saturday	6-7 p.m. / 9-10 p.m.
Sunday	7-8 p.m. / 9-10 p.m.

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

All GOLF Channel coverage also streams on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app via authentication, giving consumers additional value to their subscription service, and making high-quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.

–NBC SPORTS–

Exclusively on PGA TOUR LIVE ESPN+: Four-Stream Coverage of World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club in Texas

March 21, 2023 By admin Leave a Comment

PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+ will stream exclusive, four-feed coverage of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play from Austin Country Club in Austin, Texas, the only match play tournament on the PGA TOUR.

The post Exclusively on PGA TOUR LIVE ESPN+: Four-Stream Coverage of World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club in Texas appeared first on ESPN Press Room U.S..

PGA TOUR’S VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP HEADLINES LIVE GOLF COVERAGE ACROSS NBC, PEACOCK AND GOLF CHANNEL THIS WEEK

March 15, 2023 By admin Leave a Comment

Valspar Championship Live Coverage From Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) in Palm Harbor, Fla., Begins Tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock

PGA Tour Champions’ Hoag Classic From Newport Beach Country Club Gets Underway Friday Live at 6 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 15, 2023 – The PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship from Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) in Palm Harbor, Fla., headlines live golf coverage across NBC, Peacock and GOLF Channel this week.

PGA TOUR: VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP

The PGA TOUR travels to Palm Harbor, Fla., this week for the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course), the fourth event of the PGA TOUR’s 2023 Florida Swing. Featuring the infamous Snake Pit on holes 16-18, Sam Burns looks to win his third consecutive Valspar Championship title after defeating Davis Riley last year in a playoff.

Live coverage begins tomorrow and Friday at 2 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock. Live coverage this weekend begins at 1 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock before transitioning to NBC on both days.

NBC, GOLF Channel & Peacock Broadcast Team

- Play by Play: Dan Hicks
- Analyst: Paul Azinger
- Holes: Brad Faxon / Curt Byrum / Steve Sands
- On-Course: John Wood / Arron Oberholser
- Interviews: Cara Banks

How To Watch – Thursday, March 16 – Sunday, March 19 (all times ET)

- TV – NBC, GOLF Channel
- Streaming – Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app

Day	NBC/Peacock	GOLF Channel/Peacock
Thursday		2-6 p.m.
Friday		2-6 p.m.
Saturday	3-6 p.m.	1-3 p.m.
Sunday	2-6 p.m.	1-2 p.m.

Notable Players This Week

- Jordan Spieth
- Justin Thomas
- Sam Burns
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Gary Woodland
- Kevin Kisner
- Stewart Cink

PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS: HOAG CLASSIC

Held at Newport Beach Country Club in California, the PGA Tour Champions’ Hoag Classic is expected to be Padraig Harrington’s first appearance on the circuit since being elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame. Three of the last four winners are World Golf Hall of Famers – Vijay Singh (2018), Ernie Els (2020), and Retief Goosen (2022).

Live coverage gets underway Friday at 6 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock.

How To Watch – Friday, March 17 – Sunday, March 19 (all times ET)

- TV – GOLF Channel
- Streaming – Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app

Day	GOLF Channel/Peacock
Friday	6-8 p.m.
Saturday	4-7 p.m.
Sunday	4-7 p.m.

Notable Players This Week

- Padraig Harrington
- Ernie Els
- Vijay Singh
- Retief Goosen
- Bernhard Langer
- Justin Leonard
- John Daly
- Steve Stricker

BEYOND THE FAIRWAY

The third season of NBC Sports’ Beyond The Fairway has returned for a third season with professional golfers Doug Smith and Will Lowery hosting the series alongside former professional golfer Henni Koyack. Throughout the season, Smith, Lowery, and Koyack will provide honest and candid discussions on hot-button topics inside and outside the world of golf, plus interview celebrities, athletes and golf influencers about what drives their passion for this great game and how to move it forward.

Click here to listen to the latest episode.

BROADCAST NOTES

- Golf Central will provide pre- and post-tournament coverage on GOLF Channel Wednesday-Sunday. Golf Central coverage is anchored by Amy Rogers, Kira Dixon, Jaime Diaz, Tripp Isenhour, Anna Jackson, and Johnson Wagner.
- Golf Today on Wednesday will be hosted by Eamon Lynch, George Savaricas, Paige Mackenzie, and Dixon.

Day	*Golf Central*	*Golf Today*
Wednesday	4-5 p.m.	12-2 p.m.
Thursday	1-2 p.m./6-7 p.m.
Friday	1-2 p.m./8-9 p.m.
Saturday	12-1 p.m./7-8 p.m.
Sunday	12-1 p.m./7-8 p.m.

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

–NBC SPORTS–

COMCAST BUSINESS NAMED PROUD PARTNER OF THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

March 13, 2023 By admin Leave a Comment

Business connectivity leader joins Optum, Morgan Stanley as Proud Partner

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – The PGA TOUR and THE PLAYERS Championship today announced Comcast Business as a Proud Partner of THE PLAYERS Championship through 2030. THE PLAYERS, featuring the strongest field in golf, is being contested at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, March 9-12 with 144 players competing for a record $25 million purse.

“The PGA TOUR has enjoyed working alongside Comcast Business the last three years, and we are thrilled to now officially welcome them as a Proud Partner of our flagship event, THE PLAYERS Championship,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Their goal of helping business leaders achieve maximum business performance while keeping communities connected aligns perfectly with the mission of the PGA TOUR and the local charitable goals of THE PLAYERS Championship.”

This expanded partnership builds on the success of Comcast Business’s multi-year sponsorship of the Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10, which emphasizes player performance by rewarding the top players in the FedExCup Standings at the end of the regular season. As part of the Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10, a $20 million bonus is shared among the top 10 finishers. Scottie Scheffler took home the $4 million first-place prize in 2022 after winning four times during the FedExCup Regular Season.

“THE PLAYERS Championship is one of the PGA TOUR’s premier and most anticipated tournaments. Comcast Business is thrilled to expand our partnership with the PGA TOUR to become a Proud Partner of this incredible, flagship event,” said Eileen Diskin, Chief Marketing Officer, Comcast Business. “We’re committed to serving business leaders on and off the course, keeping them ready for whatever lies ahead. We’re proud to partner with the PGA TOUR and are excited for the future of THE PLAYERS Championship and the Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10.”

“THE PLAYERS Championship is excited to welcome Comcast Business into our Northeast Florida home and Proud Partner family,” said Jared Rice, Executive Director of THE PLAYERS. “It is because of the backing of these Proud Partners that we can showcase one of the premier events in sports while giving back to the community that supports us. We look forward to connecting even further with Northeast Florida thanks to the efforts of Comcast Business.”

Over the past 40+ years, THE PLAYERS has generated more than $100 million to support non-profit organizations in communities within Northeast Florida. Optum and Morgan Stanley are also Proud Partners of THE PLAYERS. Grant Thornton, a Proud Partner since 2018, is transitioning its sponsorship to the Grant Thornton Invitational, a new mixed-team event co-sanctioned by the LPGA and PGA TOUR.

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About THE PLAYERS Championship

THE PLAYERS Championship annually combines the strongest field in golf with the world-class venue that is THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Proceeds from THE PLAYERS benefit Northeast Florida charities and have totaled more than $100 million since it began in 1974 and moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1977. For more on THE PLAYERS, visit THEPLAYERS.com. For more on the surrounding areas, visit floridashistoriccoast.com or visitjacksonville.com.

About Optum

Optum is a leading information and technology-enabled health services business dedicated to helping make the health system work better for everyone. With more than 210,000 people worldwide, Optum delivers intelligent, integrated solutions that help to modernize the health system and improve overall population health. Optum is part of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). For more information, visit www.Optum.com.

About Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in more than 42 countries, the Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit http://www.morganstanley.com.

About Comcast Business

Comcast Business offers a suite of Connectivity, Communications, Networking, Cybersecurity, Wireless, and Managed Solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services.

For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social

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NOTES AND QUOTES – THE 2023 PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP ON GOLF CHANNEL AND PEACOCK (FIRST ROUND)

March 9, 2023 By admin

“I just think Rory is tired. I think the battery is down. It’s going to be a big ask for him to get back into this tournament.” – Paul McGinley on Rory McIlroy on Live From The PLAYERS

“It was a Goldilocks day, wasn’t it? It wasn’t too hot, it wasn’t too cold, it wasn’t too windy, it wasn’t too humid – it was perfect for scoring.” – Brandel Chamblee on Live From The PLAYERS

“It sure doesn’t look like it’s his first time here.” – Brad Faxon on Chad Ramey, Leader at -8

“There’s a certain level of stress when you come here, it is amped up…if you have a bad first round, you’re probably finished.” – Paul Azinger

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 9, 2023 – NBC Sports presented exclusive coverage of the first round of The PLAYERS Championship from The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., on GOLF Channel and Peacock. Golf Central Live From The PLAYERS followed with post-round coverage.

Play was suspended at 6:28 p.m. ET due to darkness. Tomorrow’s second round coverage begins at noon ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock.

Mike Tirico and Dan Hicks handled play-by-play duties, while Brad Faxon, Paul McGinley and Paul Azinger served as analysts. Curt Byrum and Jimmy Roberts called holes and John Wood, Notah Begay III and Smylie Kaufman served as on-course reporters, while Damon Hack handled reports and interviews.

Rich Lerner, Brandel Chamblee and Paul McGinley anchored Live From The PLAYERS post-round coverage. Following are notes and quotes from today’s coverage.

PLAYERS Championship – First Round Leaderboard

Player	Total
Chad Ramey	-8
Collin Morikawa	-7
Taylor Pendrith	-5
Ben Griffin	-5
Justin Suh	-5*

*first round in progress

ON TPC SAWGRASS STADIUM COURSE AND CONDITIONS

Paul McGinley: “Normally I’m a great believer in horses for courses, that you can see the identity of a player who will perform well on a particular golf course. You throw that out the window when you come here. Look at some of the past champions we’ve had here, short hitters like Webb Simpson, Matt Kuchar, Fred Funk…then you look on the other side and the big hitters have won here too. One thing is for sure – the big players of their era have won here.”

Brandel Chamblee on Live From: “It was a Goldilocks day, wasn’t it? It wasn’t too hot, it wasn’t too cold, it wasn’t too windy, it wasn’t too humid – it was perfect for scoring.”

Paul Azinger: “It couldn’t be any easier for the players right now. This is the easiest (TPC Sawgrass) has played in a first round that I can remember.”

Azinger: “There’s a certain level of stress when you come here, it is amped up…it’s very important to play well here in the first round, only one player has won after being over par in the first round…if you have a bad first round, you’re probably finished.”

ON RORY MCILROY (+4, T-118^th)

McGinley on Live From: “One of the features of his golf over the past 14 months…has been his ability to focus. We’ve admired this from a distance, with everything going on with him front and center…it’s quite incredible what he’s achieved…I just think Rory is tired. I think the battery is down. It’s going to be a big ask for him to get back into this tournament…we saw some clumsiness from him today, and that’s a sign that you’re not focused.”

ON JORDAN SPIETH (-3, T-12^th)

Brad Faxon on Spieth’s ability around the greens: “I sometimes hope that Jordan Spieth will miss the green so that we can have the pleasure of seeing what he can come up with.”

ON JUSTIN THOMAS (+1, T-72^nd)

Azinger on Thomas’ greenside chip into the water on No. 4: “What a mistake. I never thought I’d see Justin Thomas do something like that.”

Faxon on Thomas’ putting struggles in the first round: “The shadows are getting longer too, I just wonder if the light is changing what these players are seeing at all.”

ON CHAD RAMEY (-8, Leader)

Faxon following his tee shot on 17^th hole to two feet: “It sure doesn’t look like it’s his first time here – one-for-one with a tap-in two on your first try…you’ve seen this on television, now you’re doing it for real and what a shot.”

McGinley on tee shot on 17^th hole: “It’s a good glimpse into the confidence levels of his soul…he’s certainly in the zone right now.”

–NBC SPORTS–

THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP HEADLINES NBC SPORTS’ GOLF COVERAGE ON NBC, PEACOCK AND GOLF CHANNEL THIS WEEK

March 8, 2023 By admin

NBC Sports Surrounds 2023 PLAYERS Championship with Comprehensive Live Championship & Studio Coverage on NBC, Peacock & GOLF Channel; Live Championship Coverage Tees Off on GOLF Channel and Peacock Tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET

Golf Central Live From THE PLAYERS Daily Coverage Continues Alongside Iconic 17^th Hole at TPC Sawgrass

NBC Sports Launches Interactive “PLAYERS Island” Marketing Activation at The Battery Atlanta Tomorrow and Friday

DP World Tour’s Magical Kenya Open From Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi Begins Tomorrow Live at 4 a.m. ET on GOLF Channel

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 8, 2023 – NBC Sports is surrounding the 2023 PLAYERS Championship with comprehensive live championship and studio coverage across NBC, Peacock and GOLF Channel from The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach., Fla., this week.

PGA TOUR: THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

The star-studded field teeing it up at the 2023 PLAYERS Championship includes World No. 1 Jon Rahm, World No. 2 Scottie Scheffler, World No. 3 and 2019 PLAYERS champion Rory McIlroy, and 2021 PLAYERS champion Justin Thomas.

22 hours of live coverage begins tomorrow and Friday at 12 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock. Weekend coverage gets underway at 1 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Golf Central Live From THE PLAYERS pre- and post-tournament studio coverage continues alongside the iconic 17^th hole at TPC Sawgrass throughout the week. Click here for more details.

All live championship and Golf Central Live From THE PLAYERS studio coverage airing on NBC and GOLF Channel will stream live on Peacock.

NBC Sports has launched a one-of-a-kind marketing activation, “PLAYERS Island” – modeled after TPC Sawgrass’ famed 17^th island green – at The Battery Atlanta for fans to compete in interactive golf-themed challenges tomorrow, Thursday, March 9, and Friday, March 10. All fans that register on-site will be entered for the chance to win a VIP trip including flights, hotel, and tournament pass for THE PLAYERS Championship on Sunday. Click here for more details.

NBC, GOLF Channel & Peacock Broadcast Team

Host/Play by Play: Mike Tirico
Play by Play: Dan Hicks / Steve Sands
Analyst: Paul Azinger
Holes: Curt Byrum / Brad Faxon
On-Course: John Wood / Notah Begay III / Smylie Kaufman
Essays: Jimmy Roberts
Interviews/Reports: Damon Hack

How To Watch – Thursday, March 9 – Sunday, March 12 (all times ET)

TV – NBC, GOLF Channel
Streaming – Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app

Day	NBC/Peacock	GOLF Channel/Peacock
Thursday		12-6 p.m.
Friday		12-6 p.m.
Saturday	1-6 p.m.
Sunday	1-6 p.m.

Notable Players This Week

Jon Rahm
Scottie Scheffler
Rory McIlroy
Justin Thomas
Jordan Spieth
Collin Morikawa
Tony Finau
Max Homa
Patrick Cantlay

DP WORLD TOUR: MAGICAL KENYA OPEN

The Magical Kenya Open on the DP World Tour, one of the oldest golf tournaments in Africa, will be held at the Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi this week. Ashun Wu aims to defend his 2022 title.

Live coverage gets underway tomorrow at 4 a.m. ET on GOLF Channel.

How To Watch – Thursday, March 9 – Sunday, March 12 (all times ET)

TV – GOLF Channel
Streaming – NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app

Day	GOLF Channel	Streaming
Thursday	4-6 a.m.	6-9 a.m.
Friday	4-6 a.m.	6-9 a.m.
Saturday	2-6 p.m.*	4:30-9 a.m.
Sunday	2-6 p.m.*	4:30-9 a.m.

*delayed coverage

Notable Players This Week

Ashun Wu
Robert MacIntyre
Rafa Cabrera-Bello
Adri Arnaus
Jorge Campillo
Marcel Siem

BEYOND THE FAIRWAY

Click here to listen to the latest episode.

BROADCAST NOTES

Live From THE PLAYERS Broadcast Team

Host: Rich Lerner / Cara Banks / Damon Hack / Anna Jackson / George Savaricas
Analyst: Brandel Chamblee / Paul McGinley / Mark Rolfing / Notah Begay III / Brad Faxon / Arron Oberholser
Reporter: Todd Lewis / Jaime Diaz / Damon Hack / Steve Burkowski / Eamon Lynch

Day	*Golf Central Live From THE PLAYERS*
Wednesday	9 a.m.-5 p.m. / 7-9 p.m.
Thursday	9 a.m.-12 p.m. / 6-8 p.m.
Friday	9 a.m.-12 p.m. / 6-8 p.m.
Saturday	9 a.m.-1 p.m. / 6-8 p.m.
Sunday	9 a.m.-1 p.m. / 6-8 p.m.

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

–NBC SPORTS–

NBC SPORTS LAUNCHES INTERACTIVE “PLAYERS ISLAND” MARKETING ACTIVATION IN PROMOTION OF THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

March 7, 2023 By admin

One-of-a-Kind Activation Modeled After TPC Sawgrass’ 17^th Island Green to Feature Interactive Challenges Located at The Battery Atlanta This Thursday and Friday

Grand Prize Winner to be VIP Guest at 2023 PLAYERS Championship

NBC Sports to Surround PLAYERS Championship with Comprehensive Live Championships and Studio Coverage This Week Across NBC, Peacock & GOLF Channel

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 7, 2023 – NBC Sports will launch a one-of-a-kind marketing activation, “PLAYERS Island” – modeled after TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium Course famed 17^th island green – at The Battery Atlanta for fans to compete in interactive golf-themed challenges. All fans that register on-site will be entered for the chance to win a VIP trip including flights, hotel, and tournament pass for THE PLAYERS Championship on Sunday. The activation will be open Thursday, March 9, from 12-8 p.m. ET and Friday, March 10, from 12-6 p.m. ET.

Celebrating one of the most recognizable holes in golf, “PLAYERS Island” will host challenges on a replica green built to scale of the 17^th hole at TPC Sawgrass (roughly 28-feet by 26-feet). Numerous guests from across NBCUniversal and NBC Sports will join virtually and provide commentary throughout both days of the activation, including:

Holly Robinson Peete of Peacock’s upcoming series Queens Court
Nikka Bella of USA Network’s Barmageddon
NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico, who will be serving as a host and play-by-play commentator for the 2023 PLAYERS Championship
NBC Sports Premier League analyst Robbie Mustoe

The four challenges that contestants will take part in, but aren’t limited to, include:

17-Foot Putt: competing to see who can first make a 17-foot putt
Anything but Golf: football, badminton and billiards taking center stage as the traditional golf swing will be replaced by a pigskin throw, racket swing and pool cue
Bottle Flip Hole in One: an attempt to get a hole in one – not with a golf ball, but instead with a flipped bottle
Trivia: a series of sports and pop culture-related questions about the latest news and events from around NBC Sports and Peacock

The Battery Atlanta is located at 800 Battery Ave SE, in Atlanta, Ga.

NBC Sports will surround the 2023 PLAYERS Championship with comprehensive live championships and studio coverage across NBC, Peacock and GOLF Channel from The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach., Fla., this week. Live championships coverage will tee off on GOLF Channel and Peacock this Thursday and Friday at 12 p.m. ET. Click here for more details.

–NBC SPORTS–

NBC SPORTS SURROUNDS 2023 PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP WITH COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE ACROSS NBC, PEACOCK AND GOLF CHANNEL

March 6, 2023 By admin

Comprehensive Coverage Begins Tonight at 7 p.m. ET With Golf Central Live From THE PLAYERS Alongside Iconic 17^th Hole at TPC Sawgrass

Peacock Streams All Live Championship and Studio Coverage on NBC and GOLF Channel

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 6, 2023 – NBC Sports will surround the 2023 PLAYERS Championship with comprehensive live championships and studio coverage across NBC, Peacock and GOLF Channel from The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach., Fla., beginning tonight with Golf Central Live From THE PLAYERS at 7 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock.

Live championship coverage on GOLF Channel and Peacock begins Thursday and Friday at Noon ET, with NBC and Peacock carrying exclusive live weekend coverage beginning both days at 1 p.m. ET.

All live championship and studio coverage airing on NBC and GOLF Channel will stream live on Peacock.

NBC, GOLF Channel & Peacock Broadcast Team

Host/Play by Play: Mike Tirico
Play by Play: Dan Hicks
Analyst: Paul Azinger / Brad Faxon / Paul McGinley
Tower: Curt Byrum / Brad Faxon / Steve Sands
On-Course: John Wood / Notah Begay III / Smylie Kaufman
Essays: Jimmy Roberts
Interview/Reports: Damon Hack

How To Watch – Thursday, March 9 – Sunday, March 12 (all times ET)

TV – NBC, GOLF Channel
Streaming – Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app

Day	NBC/Peacock	GOLF Channel/Peacock
Thursday		Noon-6 p.m.
Friday		Noon-6 p.m.
Saturday	1-6 p.m.
Sunday	1-6 p.m.

NBC Sports will utilize nearly 65 cameras around TPC Sawgrass to provide its more than 20 hours of live tournament coverage. Production elements and enhancements that viewers will see throughout this week’s coverage include:

A 25-foot-high JitaCam overlooking the 18^th tee along with tracing technology, pushing along with tee shots as they are struck to provide an enhanced perspective on the flight of the ball;
A FlyCam that will run a span of 225 yards from the 16^th green to the buildout behind the 17^th hole to showcase the spectacle of the island green;
Bunker Cam inside the bunker of the 17^th hole island green;
Atlas Cam – a depth-of-field camera to focus on specific players walking from shot to shot;
Live drone and fixed-wing airplane coverage from high atop TPC Sawgrass;
X-mo and super-slo-mo replays, as well as NBC Sports NBCeeIt zoom technology to make sure fans don’t miss a moment.

Studio coverage on GOLF Channel begins tonight at 7 p.m. ET with Golf Central Live From THE PLAYERS, followed by full-day coverage on Tuesday and Wednesday which begins at 9 a.m. ET. Sky Sports commentator and former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley joins the primetime Live From team this week at THE PLAYERS, working alongside host Rich Lerner and analyst Brandel Chamblee each night on GOLF Channel.

Live From THE PLAYERS Broadcast Team

Host: Rich Lerner / Cara Banks / Damon Hack / Anna Jackson / George Savaricas
Analyst: Brandel Chamblee / Paul McGinley / Mark Rolfing / Notah Begay III / Brad Faxon / Arron Oberholser
Reporter: Todd Lewis / Jamie Diaz / Damon Hack / Steve Burkowski / Eamon Lynch

Day	Golf Central Live From THE PLAYERS
Monday	7-9 p.m.
Tuesday	9 a.m. – 5 p.m. / 7-9 p.m.
Wednesday	9 a.m. – 5 p.m. / 7-9 p.m.
Thursday	9 a.m. – Noon / 6-8 p.m.
Friday	9 a.m. – Noon / 6-8 p.m.
Saturday	9 a.m. – 1 p.m. / 6-8 p.m.
Sunday	9 a.m. – 1 p.m. / 6-8 p.m.

This week’s Golf Central Live From THE PLAYERS studio coverage will be highlighted by a number of feature pieces, including:

An in-depth conversation with Brandel Chamblee and Columbia Business School professor Mark Broadie, the founder of the Strokes Gained statistic who has been dubbed “The Godfather of Golf Analytics.” Broadie takes Chamblee through the origins of the Strokes Gained statistic using the 4^th and 11^th holes at TPC Sawgrass to illustrate how it has changed the way in which players and fans view the game;
A story on Bandon Dunes caddie Alan “Juggy” Heyn, highlighted by a tribute from his fellow caddies and the amazing event that took place during a round at Bandon on Christmas Day this past year;
An ode to ‘The Sound of the Strike,” examining the impact of what we hear in the game of golf – whether it’s a crisp iron, a crushed drive, or the putt rattling to the bottom of the cup.

–NBC SPORTS–