R&A On Verge Of BBC-Sky Decision

You may recall at last summer's R&A press conference that Peter Dawson was not very convincing in suggesting the BBC would continue on as a television partner starting in 2016. And those with an even better memory will recall that I reported in Golf World the possibility of a move to Sky Sports lining up a synergistic opportunity with Fox Sports for The Open coverage starting in 2018.

The Telegraph's Ben Rumsby reports that the rights deal was "in the balance" Thursday night as BBC and BSkyB battle for The Open rights.

James Corrigan talked to Lee Westwood about the possibility and the Englishman suggested the move would be a mistake.

“You can’t really fault Sky with the resources they put into golf and, obviously, now that they have the Masters, the Open is the last piece in the jigsaw for them, as far as male professional golf is concerned,” Westwood said. “But from a golfing perspective and reaching the widest possible audience and all that it would be very disappointing.

“Yes, the true golf fans would always find a way to watch the Open. But what I’d be very concerned about is that with the participation levels falling it certainly wouldn’t encourage people who would not ordinarily take up the game to have a go.”