Sky Sports yet to agree broadcast deal for US Open as talks hit stalemate

Matt Fitzpatrick’s defence of the US Open in June could be unavailable to a mainstream television audience in the UK, with Sky Sports yet to agree a deal to broadcast the third major of the year.

Sky has recently presented itself as the home of golf on television and that of major championships. Nonetheless, the US Open – which takes place at Los Angeles Country Club – has been notable by its absence from promotional reels. Industry insiders have confirmed Sky baulked at the price initially quoted to them for a deal with the United States Golf Association, which is negotiated by a third-party agent in the UK. Other USGA properties are likely to be included in any US Open agreement but for now there is a stalemate.

Sky refused to comment when approached by the Guardian about the situation. A spokesperson for the USGA said: “Talks with Sky are ongoing and it’s premature to suggest the US Open will not be broadcast on Sky this year.”

Still, time is running out. Sky will be confident in its negotiating position given the lack of alternatives available to the USGA. Their necessity to cover this championship could also be diminished by timings associated with a tournament on the west coast of the US. BBC television’s indifference towards golf will be emphasised again this week with no presence at the Masters. Neither Viaplay nor BT Sport has shown any real interest in delving into golf rights.

There is precedent for a major being shown elsewhere, with the 2018 US PGA Championship broadcast by Eleven Sports after no deal could be struck with Sky. However, that coverage was widely criticised by golf fans and the tournament immediately returned to Sky’s platform.

Fitzpatrick’s glory at Brookline last June was one of the iconic