ESPN’s coverage of the 106th PGA Championship is set to bring fans looking for an edge even closer to the action this year with a brand new way to experience the telecast.
Following news earlier this week that ESPN BET would become the official sports betting sponsor of the championship, the Worldwide Leader has announced a brand new alternate feed of the championship featuring ESPN BET.
The broadcast, set to air for two hours each day of the tournament between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., will feature on ESPN2 for Rounds One and Two, before shifting over to ESPN+ for the Third and Final Rounds of the tournament.
The broadcast will “feature golf-related betting discussion among the featured groups, with live betting analysis around the hole-by-hole scores, afternoon previews, tournament futures, and more,” according to an ESPN release. It's set to feature on-site commentary from senior golf analyst Michael Collins and sports betting analyst Steve Coughlin -- in conjunction with other ESPN golf analysts. The broadcast will also feature ESPN sports betting analysts Tyler Fulghum and Joe Fortenbaugh from ESPN’s Connecticut studios.
The addition of the ESPN BET broadcast follows a continually growing effort by ESPN to include alternate broadcasts for viewers looking for more niche content. Following the introduction of the ManningCast in 2021, ESPN has expanded the concept across various sports, including last season at the PGA Championship with the No Laying Up alt telecast, set to return once again for this year’s edition.
ESPN BET making its mark in golf
News of the ESPN BET alt-cast comes following a release from PENN Entertainment, operator of ESPN BET, announcing a multiyear partnership with the PGA of America through 2026. The partnership marks the first of its kind, with the PGA Championship representing the first men’s golf major to come to an agreement with an official sports betting sponsor.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with PENN Entertainment and immerse ESPN BET into the spectator experience throughout the PGA Championship,” Jeff Price, PGA of America chief commercial officer said via a release. “The added onsite presence of ESPN BET as well as broadcast and content offerings will provide spectators with exciting new ways to enjoy and engage with all of the action during the PGA Championship.”
In addition to an alternate cast, ESPN BET is also set to provide attendees with a unique experience on the 13th hole for fans on-site. Fans with a registered ESPN BET online sportsbook account will gain entry to the ESPN BET Members Lounge, complete with drinks, food, a VR simulator, and views of the 13th hole green for attendees.
“We’re pleased to be the PGA of America’s first-ever gaming partner and align ESPN BET with this prestigious men’s golf major,” said Jason Birney, vice president of operations for PENN Interactive. “We look forward to accessing highly engaging touchpoints to bring ESPN BET onto the course and into the PGA Championship broadcast on ESPN. With the PGA Championship set to take place in states where ESPN BET operates through 2026, this partnership provides us with a great opportunity to interact with and engage golf fans.”
