More Primetime Golf Majors in Line Following Successful Debut

Strong U.S. Open Ratings Likely Will Lead To More Primetime Coverage In Future

Following the ratings success of the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course outside San Diego, which was shown in primetime on the East Coast, it "appears prime-time golf at [major] championships is something we're going to be seeing more of in the future," according to Craig Dolch of the PALM BEACH POST. The USGA already has primetime coverage planned for the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, 2012 at The Olympic Club in S.F. and 2015 at Chambers Bay Golf Course outside Tacoma. The PGA Championship is not scheduled to be played on the West Coast -- a "necessity for prime-time golf to work -- through at least 2015, but there is an opening in 2014." PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka said putting the PGA Championship in primetime is "something we're going to look at, especially if our TV partners have interest." Steranka: "The bottom line is everyone is looking to maximize its audience. This isn't the last of prime-time golf you're going to see with the majors." However, Dolch noted switching golf so tournaments can be shown in primetime in the East Coast means locations "like Europe could get short-changed" (PALM BEACH POST, 6/22).