Both BBC and Sky Sports to air 2011 Masters coverage

Viewers given choice of two channels and an extra hour of tournament action

British golf fans are to be given the ultimate choice of televised golf in 2011, with the Masters being broadcast on both Sky Sports and BBC for the first time.

The European Tour’s two main broadcast partners in the UK will both transmit coverage of the Masters tournament from Augusta National from April 7-10.

And, as of next year, British viewers will be treated to an extra hour of live tournament coverage on both the Thursday and Friday opening rounds.

“Since our first telecast of the Masters in 1956, we have carefully maintained a tradition of high-quality programming within an appropriate broadcast window,” said Billy Payne, chairman of Augusta National. “Now, with the proper infrastructure and resources in place, we are confident the additional coverage will meet the high standards of the millions of golf fans who enjoy viewing the Masters each April.”

Announcing that Sky Sports would join the BBC as a live broadcaster of the tournament, the BBC will deliver the tournament coverage live on the weekend, while Sky Sports will show the Wednesday Par-3 Tournament, as well as live coverage from Thursday through to Sunday.

Sky Sports also brings with it the possibility to distribute the first-ever live 3D Masters coverage to the UK with 3D capable televisions.

“In the UK & Ireland, next year’s Masters will be the first shown on Sky Sports, the first with the Par-3 contest scheduled live on TV and the first of golf’s majors to be shown in 3D,” said Barney Francis, Sky Sports Managing Director.

“3D coverage of the Masters will give a unique view of the Masters and really capture the contours of the stunning Augusta National course.”

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered