Fox replaces NBC for U.S. Open airing
Fri., May 29, 2015
Goodbye Dan Hicks, Johnny Miller and Roger Maltbie. Hello Joe Buck, Greg Norman and Juli Inkster.
Fox spent $1 billion for the rights to televise 12 years of USGA championships, including the U.S. Open. NBC had aired the national championship since 1995.
Fox will air 38 hours of U.S. Open coverage. The network is planning some innovative features, including the use of drone flyovers and robotic cameras.
Buck and Norman anchor Fox’s team, which includes Inkster, Brad Faxon, Holly Sonders, David Fay, Corey Pavin and Shane O’Donoghue. Fay is the former USGA executive director. O’Donoghue is the host of CNN’s Living Golf program and contributes to Golf.com.
Norman and Faxon played Chambers Bay last month. Afterward Norman advised U.S. Open competitors to get in shape. Chambers Bay’s elevation changes make it a challenging walk. Tournament officials estimate rounds will take 10-12 minutes longer to complete than at previous Open venues.
Norman tweeted of Chambers Bay: “Unique. Dramatic. Massive scale. Incredible undulations on huge greens. Visually breathtaking. Elevation change.”
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