FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 5th, 2014
NBC SPORTS GROUP PPLAN FOR 2014 U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP INCLUDES MORE THAN 75 COMBINED LIVE HOURS OF COVERAGE FROM FAMED PINEHURST
Golf Channel on NBC to Showcase 19 Hours of Live Tournament Coverage, Complemented by 57 Live Hours – the Most in Network History – of Live From the U.S. Open and Morning Drive on Golf Channel
State of the Game Panel Discussion Special Will Tackle Top Stories Surrounding U.S. Open and World of Golf
Commemorating 15-Year Anniversary of His Memorable U.S. Open Victory, Golf Channel Films’ Payne Remembers Life and Legacy of Payne Stewart
Simulcast U.S. Open Coverage Available Online and on Mobile Devices Through NBC Sports Live Extra; Golf Channel Content Via Golf Live Extra
ORLANDO, Fla. (June 5, 2014) – On the eve of the 15th anniversary of a historic victory on one of championship golf’s most celebrated venues, NBC and Golf Channel are scheduled to present 75 combined live hours of television surrounding the 2014 U.S. Open Championship from the famed Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.
Golf Channel on NBC will showcase 19 live hours of tournament coverage of the season’s second major championship Thursday through Sunday, June 12-15, which will be complemented by 57 live hours of news, analysis and highlights on Golf Channel – the most in network history – via daily editions of Golf Central’s Live From the U.S. Open and Morning Drive. All programming will originate from Pinehurst, including a special edition of The Golf Fix with Michael Breed (Monday, June 9 at 6 p.m. ET) and a State of the Game panel discussion that will tackle the biggest stories surrounding Championship week (Tuesday, June 10 at 9 p.m. ET). Additionally, following the overwhelming success of its debut film, Arnie, Golf Channel Films will present Payne, a remembrance of the late Payne Stewart on the 15th anniversary of his U.S. Open victory at Pinehurst (Sunday, June 8 at 5 p.m. ET on NBC; Monday, June 9 at 10 p.m. on Golf Channel).
Live streaming of tournament action, news and analysis will be offered via NBCU digital properties NBCSports.com and GolfChannel.com, and mobile applications NBC Sports Live Extra and Golf Live Extra.
Broadcast Team: Dan Hicks and 1973 U.S. Open Champion Johnny Miller will anchor NBC’s four-day coverage, which also will feature Peter Jacobsen and Gary Koch in outer tower positions; Notah Begay, Roger Maltbie and Mark Rolfing walking and reporting from the golf course; Steve Sands conducting player interviews; and Jimmy Roberts presenting his signature video essays.
Ryan Burr, Rich Lerner and Kelly Tilghman will anchor Golf Channel’s Live From the U.S. Open telecasts from Pinehurst, and will be joined by analysts Brandel Chamblee, Brad Faxon, Steve Flesch, Frank Nobilo and Arron Oberholser. Steve Burkowski and Todd Lewis will provide reports from the field.
U.S. Open Airtimes on NBC (all times ET):
June 12 Thursday Round 1 3-5 p.m.
June 13 Friday Round 2 3-5 p.m.
June 14 Saturday Round 3 Noon-7:30 p.m.
June 15 Sunday Final Round Noon-7:30 p.m.
Surrounding Programming: News and stories will be plentiful during U.S. Open week and Golf Channel will capture it all with nearly 60 hours of U.S. Open-themed programming surrounding tournament play, including tournament highlights, inside analysis, player interviews and news conferences, compelling features, discussion, instruction and a documentary film.
- Live From the U.S. Open, which will originate entirely from its set overlooking the clubhouse at Pinehurst, begins the week with pre-tournament player news conferences and airs throughout the week before and after tournament play. Colin Montgomerie and John Feinstein will join the team as guest analysts during the week.
- Morning Drive will begin each day from Golf Channel’s Orlando studios with the latest news from Pinehurst – Monday through Wednesday at 7 a.m. ET, and Thursday through Sunday at 6 a.m. ET.
- The Golf Fix with Michael Breed will be live on the driving range at Pinehurst No. 2 on Monday, June 9 at 6 p.m. ET to learn how the pros are gearing up for competition and how to hit the shots required to become the next national champion. Breed will interact live with viewers by answering social media questions and will be joined by kids from The First Tee throughout the show.
- State of the Game continues its presence at golf’s biggest events on Tuesday, June 10 at 9 p.m. ET with a panel discussing and debating the biggest stories of the week. Planned topics include: pressure on Phil Mickelson to complete the career Grand Slam; impact of Tiger Woods’ absence on Tour in 2014; 15th anniversary of Payne Stewart’s victory at Pinehurst; and renovations to Pinehurst No. 2. Host Dan Hicks will be joined by panelists Brandel Chamblee, Gary Koch, Roger Maltbie, Johnny Miller, Frank Nobilo and Mark Rolfing.
Features: Throughout the week, Live From the U.S. Open will present compelling features built around the best stories surrounding the 2014 U.S. Open Championship:
- Phil’s Close Calls – Rich Lerner takes a look at Phil Mickelson’s record six times a runner-up at U.S. Open Championships.
- The “It” Factor – Who will be the heirs apparent to the superstar status of Tiger and Phil? Lerner looks at young players like Jordan Spieth and what tools they will need to possess to step into a new role.
- McRae – Pinehurst holds a lot of great stories, but none more compelling than 82-year-old caddie Willie McRae, who has caddied there for more than 70 years.
- 2004 Evolution – it’s hard to forget the 2004 U.S. Open when Shinnecock Hills’ 7th green was virtually unplayable due to USGA’s controversial course set-up. Ten years later, John Feinstein recounts the story and takes a look at the evolution of the USGA course set-up at U.S. Open Championship venues.
- No. 2 – Matt Ginella takes a look at the architectural changes made to Pinehurst No. 2, and why Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore were chosen to be the ones to make them.
- The Crash Site – it’s been 15 years since the tragic event that took the life of 1999 U.S. Open Champion Payne Stewart. Golf Channel cameras visit the site of the plane crash in rural South Dakota and discover a heartfelt memorial by the land owner.
- Ernie in ’94 – Frank Nobilo remembers the three-man playoff and the unlikely round of golf that gave Ernie Els his first major championship victory.
- Memories – it’s been 25 years since Curtis Strange won back-to-back U.S. Opens. Lerner interviews Strange and his wife, Sarah, about life on tour in the late ‘80s.
PAYNE: Commemorating the life of one of the game’s legendary figures – Payne Stewart – Golf Channel Films will present a one-hour film, Payne, as the U.S. Open returns to Pinehurst on the 15-year anniversary of Stewart’s victory. Produced by 15-time Emmy Award winner Peter Franchella, Payne will showcase Stewart’s journey into becoming not only one of the game’s most-beloved players on the golf course, but also a dedicated family man, entertainer, jokester and golf fashion icon with his signature plus-fours and tam-o’-shanter caps. And after Golf Channel Films’ critically acclaimed Arnie trended on Twitter during its three-day premiere, the conversation will be following #Payne via Golf Channel’s social media platforms. Payne will premiere Sunday, June 8 at 5 p.m. ET on NBC and Monday, June 9 at 10 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.
DIGITAL: GolfChannel.com will feature expanded editorial content during U.S. Open week with up-to-the-minute blogs and fan interaction, including:
- News & Features – GolfChannel.com writers will post U.S. Open-related features throughout the week, beginning with preview content about Phil Mickelson’s quest for a U.S. Open victory, the 15th anniversary of Payne Stewart’s victory at Pinehurst, changes to No. 2 and what the ladies can learn from the men when the U.S. Women’s Open follows the week after at Pinehurst.
- Live Chats – GolfChannel.com editorial staff will host live chats Thursday-Sunday to keep fans up-to-date and answer their questions as the action unfolds.
- Thursday & Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET
- Saturday & Sunday: 2-7:30 p.m. ET
- Exclusive Video Content –GolfChannel.com will provide exclusive “Instant Analysis” video updates delivered by a Golf Channel expert about the day’s biggest story.
INTERACTIVE: Live From the U.S. Open will incorporate the use of polling technology, iPowow, which will give fans the opportunity to actively participate in Golf Channel programming through a computer or mobile device. Only Internet access is required, making the process simple for anyone to use. Viewers will be invited by Golf Channel personalities to answer poll questions on a variety of topics, which then they can track by the second at GolfChannel.com/vote. Golf Channel has the option to air ongoing results or reveal updates at any given moment.
U.S. Open Programming on Golf Channel and NBC, June 8-15 (all times live ET):
Sunday, June 8
Payne 5-6 p.m. (NBC)
Monday, June 9
Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.
Live From the U.S. Open 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
The Golf Fix 6-7 p.m.
Live From the U.S. Open 7-8:30 p.m.
Payne 10-11 p.m.
Tuesday, June 10
Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.
Live From the U.S. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
7-8 p.m.
State of the Game 9-10 p.m.
Wednesday, June 11
Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.
Live From the U.S. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
7-9 p.m.
Thursday, June 12
Morning Drive 6-7 a.m.
Live From the U.S. Open 7-9 a.m.
U.S. Open Championship 3-5 p.m. (NBC)
Live From the U.S. Open 7-9 p.m.
Friday, June 13
Morning Drive 6-7 a.m.
Live From the U.S. Open 7-9 a.m.
U.S. Open Championship 3-5 p.m. (NBC)
Live From the U.S. Open 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, June 14
Morning Drive 6-8 a.m.
Live From the U.S. Open 8-11 a.m.
Morning Drive 11 a.m.-Noon
U.S. Open Championship Noon-7:30 p.m. (NBC)
Live From the U.S. Open 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 15
Morning Drive 6-8 a.m.
Live From the U.S. Open 8-11 a.m.
Morning Drive 11 a.m.-Noon
U.S. Open Championship Noon-7:30 p.m. (NBC)
Live From the U.S. Open 7:30-9:30 p.m.
-NBC Sports Group-
