R&A chief brands BBC golf coverage ‘tired and outdated’

ROYAL & Ancient chief executive Martin Slumbers whipped up a storm on the eve of The Open by describing the golf coverage of rights partners BBC as ‘tired and outdated’. Slumbers, in his second year in charge of golf’s governing body, made his damning comments despite the BBC still showing four days of highlights from Royal Birkdale, having relinquished their live contract to Sky a year early. BBC’s huge surprise at Slumbers going on the attack was reinforced by the Corporation having yesterday secured live golf coverage of the US PGA championship, the last major of the season, previously shown by Sky for the last decade. Slumbers said: ‘I think when we moved last year, we took what was frankly a fairly tired and outdated broadcast and turned it into absolutely world-class and raised the whole level of the way it was shown. ‘I think that was a combination and a partnership with the R&A that has truly improved how people are watching golf. A testament to that was Sky won a BAFTA and were up against BBC’s coverage of the Olympics. ‘We’re very comfortable working with a partner that really understands the technology and golf and how they can help us showcase this fantastic championship to the world.’ BBC chose not to respond on the record, but believe their securing of more live golf from under Sky’s noses speaks for itself, as does their widespread digital coverage. Sky had failed to reach an agreement with the PGA of America, who said they were pursuing a different media model this year. That followed ‘greedy’ agents IMG asking for far more money than Sky were prepared to pay, despite launching their dedicated Sky Golf channel last week. The BBC are understood to have paid very little for the rights. The golf tournament clashes with BBC’s coverage of the world athletics championship next month. The golf action from Quail Hollow Club, North Carolina will be on the BBC red button until transferring to BBC 2 at the end of the track-and-field programme. IMG made no comment despite Sky blaming their demands for losing the PGA championship, while IMG’s position as agents for the R&A will not make it easy working with the BBC this week after Slumbers’ criticisms. The PGA championship contract is also going to extend Peter Alliss’ involvement with the Beeb, with the 86-year-old broadcaster having threatened to retire this year.