ESPN, The R&A Sign Three-Year Deal for Latin American Rights of The Open Championship

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 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 started 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,” says 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.”