In an unusual move for the sports broadcasting giant, ESPN is set to deliver live coverage of the Farmers Insurance Open's opening two rounds. This significant decision marks the return of celebrated golfer Brooks Koepka to the PGA Tour following his stint with LIV Golf. The upcoming tournament will see ESPN broadcast from Torrey Pines in San Diego, a rare deviation from their usual focus on major golf championships.
This week's Farmers Insurance Open will be available to viewers through ESPN's linear channels, as well as on Disney+ and Hulu applications, between 12-3 p.m. ET on Thursday and Friday. Following ESPN's broadcast, the Golf Channel will take over the coverage from 3 p.m. onwards. This arrangement is particularly noteworthy as it's the first time in nearly two decades that ESPN has provided live coverage of a PGA Tour event outside of the four major tournaments.
While tee times are expected to be officially released on Tuesday, early announcements confirm Brooks Koepka's participation in a high-profile group. He will be joined by fellow golfers Max Homa and Sweden's Ludvig Aberg, with their group scheduled to play during the early session on Thursday. The 35-year-old Koepka's return to the PGA Tour is a much-anticipated event, having been one of the first prominent players to transition from LIV Golf back to the PGA Tour. His re-entry involved a financial penalty levied by the tour as part of the conditions for his comeback. Koepka's last appearance in a non-major tour event was in March 2022 at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
The extensive live coverage from ESPN highlights the growing interest and evolving broadcasting landscape in professional golf, particularly with the reintegration of players from LIV Golf back into the traditional PGA Tour circuit. This strategic broadcast decision is expected to draw considerable viewership, allowing fans to closely follow Koepka's performance and the overall dynamics of the Farmers Insurance Open.