Unlike during the Masters, where large portions of Tiger Woods’ opening two rounds were not televised, it will be difficult to complain about a lack of coverage for the U.S. Open.
Starting at 9 a.m. Thursday and Friday, ESPN will provide eight hours of coverage of the Open’s first two rounds. NBC will have two hours of mid-afternoon coverage each of the first two days and 7 1/2 hours a day dedicated to the final two rounds next Saturday and Sunday.
As usual, Woods is considered the heavy favorite at Merion, though he has not won a major since 2008 and had a dreadful performance at last weekend’s Memorial. Woods’ last major victory came at the U.S. Open where Woods conquered the field at Torrey Pines and topped Rocco Mediate in a playoff.
It will be the fifth Open held at the Pennsylvania course with David Graham winning the most recent one in 1981.