BBC’s coverage of PGA has been a real let-down
THE keen golf fan will be feeling very short-changed by the TV coverage of the US PGA Championship.
The BBC have got what they paid for – which is basically nothing.
They are taking pictures from the host broadcaster, and have Ken Brown and Peter Alliss doing voiceovers from a Salford studio.
It feels detached from the event. Ken and Peter can’t bring any insight into their commentary.
As they are not at Quail Hollow, they haven’t walked the course to get that intimate knowledge and they can’t pick up the atmosphere.
It also makes you realise just what a great job Sky do with their coverage. Their work at The Open was so comprehensive.
I can understand why The R&A have been so thrilled with the broadcasting of their event.
I have a foot in both camps, having worked for BBC Radio 5 Live for many years and my daughter, Kirsty, works for Sky, so I’m not trying to be biased.
But it’s a shame that Sky’s contract negotiations with the US PGA broke down after showing the event for so many years.
The BBC have effectively been handed coverage on a plate for a bargain price. It’s obviously something they couldn’t refuse.
But their minds and resources are elsewhere. They are focusing strongly on the World Athletics in London and the start of the English Premier League season.
The golf has been shunted onto the Red Button and a late-night slot on BBC2, when most people are heading to bed.
Just think, on the first day the big storyline was Jordan Spieth’s attempt to complete his career Grand Slam. We barely saw him hit a shot, and didn’t see an interview.
I can understand why viewers are frustrated. The best thing I can say is that the coverage is better than no coverage at all.
The US PGA is the least of the four Majors. But it’s still a Major and this is not doing justice to it.
I’m certain the tournament and Sky will come to an arrangement when its moves in the calendar in 2019 from August to May.
It needed to change and a May date will give it more status and a greater identity and it can be the prime focus after The Masters.
The PGA Tour have flexed their muscles and they now have an incredibly strong schedule from February through to the US Open.
The European Tour had to move the BMW PGA at Wentworth to a new time in September.
Ironically, they have spent millions making the course as good as possible at the end of May, when traditionally it has always played better later in the summer.
My worry is that the May date has been so popular with spectators for so many years and I hope there is no negative effect.
With its new position, I would make it the last counting event ahead of Europe’s Ryder Cup team being selected.
That would be a great marketing tool for Chief Executive Keith Pelley and ensure that all our best players come back from the United States to play in it.