Fox Sports to Broadcast Franklin Templeton Shootout as Golf Coverage Ramped Up

Fox Sports, in preparation on broadcasting its first USGA golf events in 2015, have revealed they will air this year’s Franklin Templeton Shootout, a 25-year-old unofficial stop hosted by Greg Norman in December at Tiburon G.C. in Naples, Fla.

Earlier this month, Fox said Norman would work as its lead analyst along side play-by-play man Joe Buck at four of the 15 USGA championships next year when the 12-year, $1.1 billion contract kicks in. 

“From my perspective, this is a dynamic move for us,” Norman said in making the announcement. “This is the most exciting announcement we have had in the 26 years I have been running this event.”

Fox also showed its willingness to innovate, moving the finish of the shootout from Sunday to Saturday, away from its NFL programming.

“They say good things come in bunches,” said Fox Sports Co-COO Eric Shanks. “We were able to further out relationship with Greg Norman and will have the Franklin Templeton Shootout on Fox Sports1 and on Fox for three years. It will be Joe and Greg’s first tournament together on FOX.”

The Shootout, a 54-hole team event, has been around since 1989 with Harris English and Matt Kuchar (above) claiming last year’s title. The first round is modified alternate shot; the second 18 holes is better ball and thefinal round is played as a scramble. Over the years, the tournament has been broadcast by CBS, USA Network and, most recently, Golf Channel and NBC.

Aside from the Franklin Templeton Shootout, Fox will get its game in shape for the USGA’s flagship event, the U.S. Open, by first televising the Four-Ball and then the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball at Bandon Dunes Resort May 9-13.