Fox yesterday drew a 3.8 overnight rating for the final round of the U.S. Open from 11:00am-8:15pm ET, which saw Dustin Johnson win by three strokes over Jim Furyk, Shane Lowry and Scott Piercy. This year's number will likely mark the second-lowest Sunday for a U.S. Open on record. Last year, during Fox' debut U.S. Open telecast, the net drew a 4.8 overnight for Jordan Spieth's one-stroke win over Johnson and Louis Oosthuizen. Last year's event aired from the West Coast, putting the finish at 10:45pm ET. The 3.8 this year is higher than the 3.3 overnight for the Pinehurst, N.C., event in '14 on NBC, which aired from noon-7:47pm for Martin Kaymer's eight-stroke win. NBC in '13 drew a 6.1 overnight for Justin Rose's two-stroke win over Phil Mickelson and Jason Day (also an East Coast event). Meanwhile, Fox on Saturday from 11:00am-8:00pm drew a 2.5 overnight for its Open coverage, likely marking the lowest-rated third-round figure on record for the event. Fox drew a 3.4 for Saturday coverage last year and NBC drew a 2.6 in '14. FS1 also drew a 0.8 overnight for coverage from 8:00am-5:00pm on Friday. ESPN drew a 1.0 overnight in '14 for second-round play, but that coverage aired from 9:00am-3:00pm (Austin Karp, Assistant Managing Editor).
PLAY IT AS IT LIES: In Tampa, Tom Jones writes a penalty stroke controversy involving Johnson "made for sensational and intriguing television" which Fox for the most part "did a good job covering." The USGA informed Johnson on the 12th hole it was reviewing whether he should be penalized after his ball moved on the fifth green. Fox "immediately brought in" USGA Managing Dir of Open Championships Jeff Hall and "asked all the pertinent questions ... except one." Only after Hall "left the booth did anyone at Fox realize it should have asked if the other players chasing Johnson knew that Johnson might be charged a stroke." Meanwhile, Jones writes Paul Azinger and Brad Faxon "were outstanding" on the broadcast, as was host Joe Buck, who "did a great job setting up the two analysts while setting the tone for Fox's breakdown of the controversy." Buck "needed a defining moment covering golf, and this was it" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/20). In a special to SI.com, Dick Friedman writes Buck “adroitly played ringmaster” during the coverage, while Azinger, Faxon and Curtis Strange debated whether Johnson’s action “was an infraction." To Fox' credit, the analysts "were allowed to flay the USGA for leaving Johnson hanging by choosing not to make a decision until round’s end.” Fox “stayed on the news by showing the tweets from pros such as Jordan Spieth outraged by the decision-making process” (SI.com, 6/20). GOLFWEEK's Martin Kaufmann writes Fox "dealt with the situation head on." Hall was brought in "to be interrogated," and Azinger and Faxon "made clear they were not happy with the prospect that the USGA would dock Johnson a penalty stroke." Buck said that Fox Sports Coordinating Producer Mark Loomis "gave the announcing team free [rein] to state their opinions." Loomis said that a "key point was that Fox, now in its second year airing USGA championships, has had the time necessary to hire the people who could help navigate that bizarre rules situation" (GOLFWEEK.com, 6/20).
STRONG WORDS FROM THE BOOTH: Faxon on the broadcast "called the situation 'ridiculous.'" In N.Y., John Harper writes fans "never hear such criticism from former PGA Tour players in such high-profile settings, but this was unlike anything anyone had ever seen" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/20). Fox' Tim Brando: "Glad Brad Faxon finally made the statement. Protocol trumped common sense. He without question will incur a stroke penalty. Tell him! Play on." The L.A. Daily News' Mark Whicker: "USGA has to be squirming with Faxon speaking his mind and top players holding a Twitter riot." SI's Andy Glockner: "Good job by FOX/@buck to openly talk about this. This is insane." But the Minneapolis Star Tribune's Jim Souhan wrote, "We really needed Johnny Miller in the booth for this. Azinger and Faxon are solid analysts but not rising to this occasion" (TWITTER.com, 6/19).
CASHING IN A SECOND CHANCE: GOLF WORLD's John Strege writes Fox' coverage of the U.S. Open was "noticeably better" than last year. Its "pointed criticism" of the USGA's decision regarding Johnson "was laudable," and Azinger was "predictably good in the analyst chair previously occupied by Greg Norman." Course architect Gil Hanse "provided expertise on the nuances" of Oakmont, while Ken Brown put some "levity into the long hours of otherwise serious golf" with his "Brownie's Points" segments (GOLF WORLD, 6/20 issue). The TAMPA BAY TIMES' Jones writes Fox' coverage was "night and day" compared with last year's. The "big difference" was Azinger in Norman's former spot, as Azinger was "excellent, especially coming down the stretch." His opinions "were strong, his analysis was spot-on and his work was comfortable and confident." Faxon also "made for a solid playing partner in the booth, and Curtis Strange was good on the broadcast" as an on-course reporter (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/20). SI.com’s Richard Deitsch notes Fox this year had "much better chemistry between its lead hosts ... and fewer graphic issues.” Deitsch: “I particularly appreciated how many different replays they had of Dustin Johnson’s final putt, as well as showing his brief conversation with Jack Nicklaus coming off the final hole” (SI.com, 6/20).
STAY ON COURSE: GOLFWEEK's Kaufmann noted Fox' "biggest mistake" of its coverage Saturday was "that it felt the need to do 'storytelling' at the expense of showing live golf." The net at one point ran an extended shot of Johnson, then the leader, "walking across the bridge over the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the second tee." Kaufmann: "I appreciate [Loomis'] desire to step away from the action occasionally and reset the storylines or try to show some dramatic imagery. But there are times when that's not a viable strategy" (GOLFWEEK.com, 6/18). In N.Y., Phil Mushnick writes Fox "felt most at home on" the practice range. Mushnick: "If you're the one who tuned in to watch players on the practice range rather than hitting shots that count in a still wide-open major, Saturday's coverage was just for you!" The net "aired five straight minutes" of Johnson hitting wedges (N.Y. POST, 6/20).
NICE CHANGE OF PACE: GOLFWEEK's Kaufmann wrote he "was charmed by the voice and vivid descriptions" by PGA Tour Radio's Maureen Madill on Saturday. Madill "has a magical way with words" that seem "to come effortlessly, and were delivered beautifully with a pleasing Irish lilt." Kaufmann wondered why Madill is not on U.S. TV, as there is not a "single U.S. golf broadcaster that wouldn't be improved by her presence" (GOLFWEEK.com, 6/18).
