NBC Sports Group has U.S. Women's Open covered with more than 25 LIVE hours across NBC and Golf Channel

Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam Returns as Analyst for GOLF CHANNEL ON NBC’s Live Tournament Coverage and Golf Channel’s News Coverage

GOLF CENTRAL Will Originate From Sebonack Golf Club and Surround Tournament Coverage on Golf Channel

LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan, Sorenstam and Others will Discuss the Women’s Game on STATE OF THE GAME, Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET

“It’s the toughest tournament in women’s golf throughout the year … and it tests you in every aspect.”  - Annika Sorenstam

“Sebonack will play firm and fast, and provide a great test for the best women players in the world.  The reachable, par-5 18th should set up for an exciting finish.” – Gary Koch

ORLANDO, Fla. (June 21, 2013) – As the best female golfers in the world prepare for next week’s major championship challenge at the U.S. Women’s Open, NBC and Golf Channel are primed to deliver more than 25 hours of live tournament and news coverage from scenic Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.  NBC coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday, June 29-30.

GOLF CENTRAL news coverage will originate from a set overlooking Sebonack’s picturesque clubhouse, with anchor Kelly Tilghman and lead analyst Brandel Chamblee covering all the major stories from the U.S. Women’s Open and across the world of golf.  Other Golf Channel shows airing during the week – including THE GOLF FIX with Michael Breed, ON THE RANGE, and GREY GOOSE 19TH HOLE – will feature content specific to the U.S. Women’s Open.  Additionally, the U.S. Women’s Open will lead the topic of discussion all week on MORNING DRIVE, which will welcome LPGA member Paige Mackenzie to offer a player’s perspective on the morning show, Wednesday through Sunday.  Mackenzie tied for 13th at the 2005 U.S. Women’s Open as an amateur.

ANALYSIS FROM BEST WOMEN’S GOLFER EVER:  Hall-of-Famer and three-time U.S. Women’s Open champion Annika Sorenstam will join GOLF CHANNEL ON NBC’s play-by-play commentator Dan Hicks and analyst Gary Koch in the main booth for NBC’s weekend coverage.  Sorenstam also will serve as a guest analyst for GOLF CENTRAL throughout the week on Golf Channel.

NBC TOURNAMENT BROADCAST TEAM:   Host Dan Hicks will be joined by Sorenstam and analyst Gary Koch in the 18th tower.  Tom Abbott will be in an outer tower position and responsible for player interviews.  Walking with the players and reporting from the golf course will be Roger Maltbie, Kay Cockerill and Jane Crafter.

STATE OF THE GAME:  Kelly Tilghman will moderate STATE OF THE GAME, a primetime panel discussion Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET and featuring LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan, 10-time major championship winner and three-time U.S. Women’s Open winner Sorenstam, and other experts.  Topics scheduled for discussion are the latest issues affecting the women’s game, including slow play, growth of the women’s game, and the battle for World No. 1.

GOLF CENTRAL NEWS SOURCE:  Golf Channel will provide television’s most extensive news coverage of the U.S. Women’s Open, featuring live news reports, inside analysis, player interviews, special guest appearances and compelling features.  GOLF CENTRAL will broadcast live and on site from Sebonack Golf Club throughout the tournament, delivering news coverage before and after tournament play.  Tilghman and Chamblee will anchor coverage and will be joined by other Golf Channel and NBC analysts and contributors during each telecast.

DIGITAL COVERAGE:  NBC Sports and Golf Channel digital properties – GolfChannel.com, as well as live streaming applications NBC Sports Live Extra and Golf Live Extra – are teaming up to provide the most comprehensive digital coverage of the U.S. Women’s Open to date. 
NBC Sports Live Extra -- the NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets -- will live stream the six hours of U.S. Women’s Open coverage airing on NBC.  For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

Fans who are customers of participating cable, satellite, telco and other video subscription services, also will be able to enjoy 24/7 streaming of Golf Channel content through GolfChannel.com and Golf Channel’s mobile application, Golf Live Extra, via “TV Everywhere,” the media industry’s effort to make quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.  In addition to live streaming content, GolfChannel.com senior writer Randall Mell will be filing daily reports from Sebonack.

Note to Media: Golf Channel’s  communications team has launched @GolfChannelPR on Twitter, where you will be able to follow us for up-to-date announcements about everything Golf Channel, including top quotes from our “Notable Quotes” summaries during U.S. Women’s Open week.