Sky Sports live coverage deal for The Open extended to 2024

Sky Sports and The R&A have extended the agreement for live coverage of The Open through to 2024.

The Open, golf’s original championship and the only men’s major championship played outside of the United States, will be part of a comprehensive schedule of live golf shown by Sky Sports, including more than 100 tournaments in 2019 with all four men’s majors, all five women’s majors and the Solheim Cup.

“The Open is an iconic moment of summer sporting brilliance and over the past three years Sky Sports has elevated the coverage to new heights,” said Rob Webster, Sky Sports managing director.

“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with The R&A until 2024. We respect the history and traditions of The Open but know that together we can keep finding new and innovative ways to help tell its stories.”

Sky first broadcast The Open in 2016 from Royal Troon. Henrik Stenson triumphed over Phil Mickelson in an epic Sunday encounter that year. Twelve months later, Jordan Spieth produced a dramatic closing run at Royal Birkdale to lift the Claret Jug for the first time. Then at Carnoustie in 2018, Francesco Molinari, edged-out Tiger Woods to become The Open’s first ever Italian Champion Golfer of the Year.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers added: “The Open is one of the world’s great sporting events and is watched by many millions of viewers around the globe.

“Our partnership with Sky has helped us deliver BAFTA-winning coverage of The Open and present the drama and excitement of the Championship from the opening shot to the closing putt in a dynamic and entertaining way.

“We look forward to working with them to continue to improve and elevate the coverage of The Open in the years to come.”

The 2019 Open will take place next week (18-21 July) with live coverage on Sky Sports and Now TV.