For true golf fans, following this week’s Ryder Cup coverage will require some early morning wakeup calls. How early? Well, Friday’s opening round action from the Twenty Ten Course at Celtic Manor will begin at 2:30 a.m. on ESPN (though there will be a replay of the action later in the day from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.).
The ESPN coverage will be anchored by Mike Tirico and 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger. The rest of the team includes Curtis Strange, who was the Ryder Cup captain in 2002 and played in the event five times, and Andy North, also a Ryder Cup veteran. Judy Rankin, Bill Kratzert and eight-time Ryder Cup member Peter Alliss will serve as analysts. Tom Rinaldi will provide essays and interviews, and Rick Reilly will contribute commentary and essays.
The weekend coverage is on NBC, which will fill Saturday with Ryder Cup action from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday coverage is from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dan Hicks and analyst Johnny Miller, in their 11th season together as NBC Sports’ lead golf team, will anchor coverage. They will be joined by tower reporters Gary Koch, Peter Jacobsen and Brad Faxon as well as on-course reporters Roger Maltbie, Mark Rolfing and Dottie Pepper. Jimmy Roberts will handle the sideline interview duty.
Finally, for those who wish to listen on radio, SIRIUS-XM’s live coverage will air Friday from 2:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday coverage is 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (tape delay). Sunday’s live coverage is 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!
