ESPN adding more coverage of PGA Tour playoffs

ESPN is expanding its coverage of the PGA Tour FedExCup Playoffs this month, bringing early-round action to its primary linear channel for the first time.

The network will air two-hour windows during the first and second rounds of all three playoff tournaments, beginning with the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. Coverage airs from 9 to 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 13, and Friday, Aug. 14.

Across the three playoff events, ESPN will carry 12 hours of linear coverage over three weeks. Additional windows are scheduled for the BMW Championship on Aug. 20-21 and the Tour Championship on Aug. 27–28.

Michael Eaves will host ESPN’s linear coverage throughout the playoffs.

Thursday’s coverage will feature Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, the world’s top two ranked players, who are paired together for the first time in a tournament this year. ESPN will also spotlight defending FedExCup champion Tommy Fleetwood, Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim and Ludvig Aberg.

Friday’s featured groups include Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Wyndham Clark, Matt Fitzpatrick, Max Homa, Min Woo Lee, Chris Gotterup and Michael Brennan. Brennan qualified for the playoffs after winning the Wyndham Championship last week.

ESPN will supplement its linear coverage with more than 100 hours of PGA Tour Live coverage on the ESPN App during the playoffs. The streaming service will continue to offer four simultaneous feeds, including a main feed, beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday from TPC Southwind.

The network also plans to simulcast portions of PGA Tour Live coverage on the ESPN account on X. The first window is expected to begin around 9:30 a.m. Thursday and include the opening tee shots from Scheffler and McIlroy. ESPN plans four such simulcasts during the playoffs.

Advertisement

Production enhancements for ESPN’s coverage will include additional cameras and drones, expanded player audio and 3D course and hole models produced by PGA Tour Studios.

PGA Tour Live Betcast presented by DraftKings will also return during the opening rounds of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The ESPN App presentation combines tournament coverage with betting analysis, live wagering discussion and previews.

Featured-hole coverage will begin at 2 p.m. during the first two rounds, following every shot at TPC Southwind’s par-3 14th hole on the ESPN App.