Sky Sports to Take Over Live Coverage of The British Open from BBC Starting in 2017

In a shocking turn of events, the British Open will no longer be available for live coverage on the BBC starting in 2017. The Royal & Ancient (R&A) announced on Tuesday that a deal had been struck with pay-channel Sky Sports, giving them exclusive live rights for the major championship from 2017-21. This decision has sparked controversy and disappointment among fans and commentators alike.

Veteran BBC commentator Peter Alliss, who has been covering the tournament since 1961, expressed his sadness at the news, stating that golfers throughout Britain and Europe will sorely miss the BBC’s coverage. Former world number one Lee Westwood went as far as to call the move “a disgrace,” while former British Open champion Tony Jacklin welcomed the decision, praising Sky Sports for their dedication to the sport.

Despite the criticism, R&A chief executive Peter Dawson defended the new TV deal, stating that it is the best result for The Open and for golf. The agreement with Sky Sports is reported to be worth 10 million pounds a year, compared to the 7 million a year the BBC was paying for live rights. This increase in revenue will allow the R&A to support golf at the grassroots level in the UK and Ireland.

The new TV deal will kick off at the 146th Open to be played at Royal Birkdale in 2017. While some may be disappointed by the lack of free-to-air coverage, Dawson emphasized that the way people consume live sport is changing and that the new agreement with Sky Sports will provide fans with a range of options for enjoying the Championship.

With Sky Sports already covering other major golf tournaments, including the U.S. Masters and the Ryder Cup, the R&A is confident that they have made the right decision for the future of the sport. Despite the changes, the R&A has promised to keep commercial breaks to a minimum during their coverage, ensuring that the focus remains on the game itself.