Golf Channel Adding Extra TV Coverage for Tiger’s Return

All sports have their major moments where one of the best returns to the spotlight after some time away. You may think of Michael Jordan returning to the Bulls or Favre coming back to the football field. Now, golf is about to have their major return (again).

It was announced a few weeks ago that Tiger Woods would be returning to the golf course at the end of November to participate in the Hero World Challenge and the golf world has been buzzing ever since. Tiger has only played in a handful of tournaments over the past two years due to health and his well known off-the-course issues, making this comeback even more exciting.

We all know Tiger as one of the best golfers to ever pick up a club and he was well on pace to break Jack Nicklaus’ record for major championship victories before personal issues hit. Ever since then, Tiger hasn’t been the same, and some of that has been to due to medical problems, including his recent back issues.

Now healthy, however, fans expect a big showing from Woods.

Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay , commentator for Golf Channel, and Tiger Woods ,…

Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay , commentator for Golf Channel, and Tiger Woods , Captains Assistant of the U.S. Team walk together during the second round of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club on… Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

With fan excitement at a ridiculously high level, the Golf Channel has decided that they are going to cash in on Tiger’s return. Since the network will be broadcasting the Hero World Challenge, they have decided to add extra live coverage in order to cover Woods more closely. The Thursday and Friday broadcasts have been extended from the typical three hours to four. That means the broadcast will now run from 12:30-4:30 p.m.

While those time extensions were only approved for the first two rounds, I would expect a similar time change to occur if Woods is able to make the cut in his return to the course.

Outside of actual coverage, the Golf Channel has gone even further, extending the length of other programs in order to talk more Tiger. The Morning Drive (8:30-11:30 a.m. Thurs. and Fri.) and Golf Central will run longer than normal as well during the tournament.

With all the hype that is surrounding Tiger’s return, we can only hope that he will be able to put on a strong performance. If not, Golf Channel will be taking a lot of time to show a whole lot of nothing.

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