ESPN International and R&A Renew Three-Year Agreement for The Open Championship
Deal Includes Rights in Latin America, Brazil and the Caribbean
Coverage of Golf’s Oldest Major on ESPN in the Caribbean Starts Thursday, July 19 at 5 p.m. ET
ESPN and The R&A, the organizer of The Open Championship, have reached a three-year renewal for rights on all means and media throughout Latin America, including Brazil and the Caribbean, for golf’s oldest major, it was announced today by Tim Bunnell, senior vice president of production, programming, marketing and advertising sales, ESPN International. The new agreement provides ESPN International with rights on its linear and digital platforms throughout the regions, and extends the longstanding ESPN and R&A collaboration in Latin America through 2020.
ESPN’s rights include all four rounds of The Open Championship throughout Latin America, Brazil and the Caribbean, highlighted by exclusive live coverage of the weekend rounds. It takes effect now with the 2018 edition of The Open Championship, celebrating its 147th anniversary from Carnoustie Golf Links in Angus, Scotland, July 19-22, 2018. ESPN’s coverage starts Thursday, July 19 at 5 p.m. ET with the first round and continues Friday, July 20 at 5 p.m. ET with the second round. Exclusive, live coverage of the third round will air Saturday, July 21 at 7 a.m. ET, and culminate on Sunday, July 22 at 7 a.m. ET with exclusive, live coverage of the final round. Simulcast streaming coverage of The Open Championship will also be available via ESPN’s broadband players in the region – ESPN Play and on WatchESPN in Brazil. ESPN will stream live the Marquee Groups and Featured Holes (8, 9 & 10) on Saturday and Sunday starting at 7 a.m. ET.
“As golf’s oldest major, The Open is one of the most iconic trophies in the world of sports,” said Bunnell. “This renewal underscores our commitment to deliver world-class content to golf fans across Latin America, Brazil and the Caribbean. We have a long history as a broadcaster of The Open Championship and we are eager to build on the success we have had over many years in presenting The Open Championship to our viewers in the region.”
Tiger Woods will be making his first appearance at The Open Championship since 2015– and this will be Woods’ third time playing at Carnoustie, where he has never won. Woods will face current defending champion Jordan Spieth, as well as other top stars including Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and current World No. 1 Dustin Johnson.
The Open Championship on ESPN Caribbean & ESPN2 Caribbean
| Date | Time (ET) | Rounds | Network(s) |
| Thur., Jul 19 | 5 p.m. | First Round | ESPN2 Caribbean |
| Fri., Jul 20 | 5 p.m. | Second Round | ESPN2 Caribbean |
| Sat., Jul 21 | 7 a.m. | Third Round | ESPN Caribbean |
| Su., Jul 22 | 7 a.m. | Final Round | ESPN Caribbean |
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ESPN Contacts:
Ardi Dwornik, [email protected]; 646-5475612
Santa Brito, [email protected]; 646-547-5602
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