We have just 18 holes to go in the U.S. Open -- hopefully! The national championship, of course, is the only remaining major that still uses that archaic 18-hole playoff if there is a tie after 72 holes on Sunday night. So there’s always the potential this thing goes to Monday for another round. It’s been nine years since we had a Monday playoff, the longest such drought in the event’s history so we’re due. But let’s not talk or think about that anymore.
FOX will have coverage of the final round for the third straight year in a billion-dollar decade-long deal with the USGA. They have gotten better each and every year and there are no real complaints this go-round at Erin Hills. The action on Saturday got a little manic, with a lot of big name players making big moves and pouring in birdies. Where others might have struggled to keep up and show all the golf, Fox kept us in the loop with everyone. It was, by far, the highlight of the championship and the way it was produced made it feel like a fast-moving, exciting sport.
While they obviously rotate different teams of anchors and analysts, FOX rolls for more than nine straight hours during the two weekend rounds. With a Wisconsin venue, they will go a little later this year compared to Oakmont last year, scheduling a broadcast conclusion for about 8:30 p.m. ET. That includes all the trophy hoopla and wrap-up, so we should, hopefully, have a resolution of the championship slightly before that. The final twosome of Justin Thomas and Brian Harman tee off at 3:54 p.m. ET.
We’ll get all the bells and whistles on what is FOX’s biggest day of their only real major golf event of the year. Hopefully, we just get that Sunday night resolution. Here are all your media options for the final round at the U.S. open:
Sunday's final-round coverage
Television:
11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. -- FOX
Online streams:
11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. — Featured group 1
Jordan Spieth, Keegan Bradley
Steve Stricker, David Lingmerth
12:40 p.m. to 8 p.m. — Featured group 2
Branden Grace, Matt Kuchar
Patrick Reed, Russell Henley
Noon to 7 p.m. — Featured holes stream
Radio:
Noon to 8 p.m. — PGA Tour Radio on Sirius-XM (Ch. 93/208)