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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
The Open sees expensive new addition never used in golf – and football fans know it well
The Open Championship organisers have brought in a new era at Royal Portrush this week by implementing technology in the form of a Spidercam, as seen in the Premier League and the Champions League The Open Championship at Royal Portrush is the first golf tournament in history to use a Spidercam. The R&A has invested £300,000 in a four-point wire-cam system for the event - something that has not been done previously in the sport. With the second round's action underway, the technology is being used above the 18th hole to offer breathtaking aerial views and unique perspectives of the action, due to the absence of a clubhouse on the final hole where spectators can watch. Players were informed of the change last week, with organisers of the Open worried they might be unhappy with the potential distraction of a moving camera during their shot preparations. But there were reportedly no complaints. It's understood that the R&A is spending around £300,000 on the Spidercam's operational costs for the week in Northern Ireland, following a year-long planning project in partnership with European Tour Productions. Alongside IMG, European Tour Productions is tasked with covering the Open, the Ryder Cup, and the DP World Tour. The Spidercam footage is accessible to the R&A's broadcast partners, including Sky Sports in the UK and NBC in the US, who are reportedly delighted with the innovation. The technology could be utilised at future tournaments wherever feasible, although it's unlikely to become a regular feature at golf events due to its hefty cost. R&A head of broadcasting and media rights Paul Sutcliffe told The Guardian: "It's not often The Open is the first to do something, as usually innovations are made by the Tours before being introduced by the majors, so this is really exciting. "Portrush is one of the few venues without a clubhouse on the 18th green so that gave us a unique opportunity. With more space around the green we have been able to install technology. "There will be some wires around the green, but the camera will retract to the grandstand before each player's second shot so we're confident there will be no interference. "2019 was one of the iconic Opens with the emotion of Shane Lowry winning at Portrush and Spidercam will enable viewers to walk with the 2025 champion up the 18th. It's the greatest walk in golf and should be very special." Football fans will be well-acquainted with the Spidercam already, with Champions League matches unveiling the technology as early as 2010. The Premier League, meanwhile, rolled it out it in January 2017 for a Manchester United vs Liverpool fixture. Operational considerations, costs and existing broadcast practices were the reasons for its relatively late usage. It is also commonplace in rugby union and cricket, while the aforementioned reasons have prevented its implementation in golf in the past.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
The Open make major broadcast change with never-seen-before live TV feature to delight golf fans at Royal Portrush
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE OPEN have made a never-seen-before major broadcasting change. The 153rd edition of the world's oldest golf tournament heads to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland this week. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 A Spidercam will be in operation above the 18th green at Royal Portrush Credit: PA 3 Fans watching The Open on TV will be treated to the new perspective Credit: PA And fans watching the action on TV will be treated to a brand-new feature. That is because, as reported by The Guardian, the R&A have installed a Spidercam above the 18th green. The camera will be attached to four 25m-tall pylons. And the introduction will give new viewing angles and perspectives of the 18th green - where the Claret Jug will be won on Sunday. The report adds the R&A informed the players about the plans last week. And while there were some concerns about possible distractions, it is said no official complaints about the Spidercam were submitted. The Spidercam's footage will be available for broadcast partners including Sky Sports in the UK and NBC in America. It will be supplemented by existing cameras such as aerial drones and bunker cams. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The remote-controlled Spidercam has proven a major success in other sports such as football, rugby and cricket. And the R&A's head of broadcasting and media rights, Paul Sutcliffe, said: 'It's not often The Open is the first to do something, as usually innovations are made by the Tours before being introduced by the Majors, so this is really exciting. Xander Schauffele jokes he was 'trending towards an alcoholic,' but he's happy to be back in Scotland 'Portrush is one of the few venues without a clubhouse on the 18th green so that gave us a unique opportunity. 'With more space around the green we have been able to install technology. "There will be some wires around the green, but the camera will retract to the grandstand before each player's second shot so we're confident there will be no interference. '2019 was one of the iconic Opens with the emotion of Shane Lowry winning at Portrush and Spidercam will enable viewers to walk with the 2025 champion up the 18th. "It's the greatest walk in golf and should be very special.'
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
The Open make major broadcast change with never-seen-before live TV feature to delight golf fans at Royal Portrush
THE OPEN have made a never-seen-before major broadcasting change. The 153rd edition of the world's oldest golf tournament heads to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland this week. Advertisement 3 A Spidercam will be in operation above the 18th green at Royal Portrush Credit: PA 3 Fans watching The Open on TV will be treated to the new perspective Credit: PA And fans watching the action on TV will be treated to a brand-new feature. That is because, as reported by The camera will be attached to four 25m-tall pylons. And the introduction will give new viewing angles and perspectives of the 18th green - where the Claret Jug will be won on Sunday. Advertisement READ MORE ON GOLF The report adds the R&A informed the players about the plans last week. And while there were some concerns about possible distractions, it is said no official complaints about the Spidercam were submitted. The Spidercam's footage will be available for broadcast partners including Sky Sports in the UK and NBC in America. It will be supplemented by existing cameras such as aerial drones and bunker cams. Advertisement Most read in Golf CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The remote-controlled Spidercam has proven a major success in other sports such as football, rugby and cricket. And the R&A's head of broadcasting and media rights, Paul Sutcliffe, said: 'It's not often The Open is the first to do something, as usually innovations are made by the Tours before being introduced by the Majors, so this is really exciting. Xander Schauffele jokes he was 'trending towards an alcoholic,' but he's happy to be back in Scotland 'Portrush is one of the few venues without a clubhouse on the 18th green so that gave us a unique opportunity. Advertisement 'With more space around the green we have been able to install technology. "There will be some wires around the green, but the camera will retract to the grandstand before each player's second shot so we're confident there will be no interference. '2019 was one of the iconic Opens with the "It's the greatest walk in golf and should be very special.' Advertisement 3 The lack of clubhouse beside the 18th green made the innovation possible Credit: PA
Irish Examiner
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
The Open organisers agree to use of Spidercam on 18th green at Portrush
The R&A has installed a Spidercam above the 18th green at Portrush for next week's Open – the first time the technology has been used in golf. The four-point wire-cam system has been suspended above the final hole using four 25-metre-high pylons and will be used to provide spectacular aerial views and unique angles of play, as well as capturing the Open champion's final walk up the 18th in unprecedented detail. The players were briefed on the R&A's plans on Friday morning. While there were concerns expressed during internal discussions beforehand that some players would be unhappy with the intrusion and the potential for distraction caused by a roving camera during preparations for a shot, it is understood there have been no complaints. Spidercam has been deployed by broadcasters in stadium-based sports such as football, rugby union and cricket for several years, but the logistics and cost involved have prevented it being used in golf. The R&A is understood to be paying the operational costs of about £300,000 for the week at Portrush after a 12-month planning project undertaken in collaboration with European Tour Productions, which, in conjunction with IMG Media, is responsible for producing coverage of the Open, the Ryder Cup and the DP World Tour. The Spidercam coverage will be made available to the R&A's broadcaster partners, including Sky Sports in the UK and NBC in the US, who are both delighted with the innovation. If deemed successful, Spidercam could be used in future tournaments where the logistics allow, although due to the cost, it is unlikely to become a regular feature of golf events. Discussions over whether Spidercam can be used at next year's Open at Royal Birkdale will take place after the championship. 'It's not often the Open is the first to do something, as usually innovations are made by the Tours before being introduced by the Majors, so this is really exciting,' the R&A's head of broadcasting and media rights, Paul Sutcliffe, said. 'Portrush is one of the few venues without a clubhouse on the 18th green so that gave us a unique opportunity. 'With more space around the green we have been able to install technology. There will be some wires around the green, but the camera will retract to the grandstand before each player's second shot so we're confident there will be no interference. '2019 was one of the iconic Opens with the emotion of Shane Lowry winning at Portrush and Spidercam will enable viewers to walk with the 2025 champion up the 18th. It's the greatest walk in golf and should be very special.' Spidercam will complement existing technology, including a plane camera, aerial drones and bunker cameras, to enhance live coverage of the Open. Neil Armit, chief commercial officer at the R&A, said: 'We have worked closely with European Tour Productions to invest in cutting-edge broadcast technology and believe that Spidercam will bring millions of fans a new perspective of the action with incredible detail and accessibility wherever they are in the world. Richard Bunn, chief content and revenue officer at the European Tour Group, said: 'European Tour Productions has a shared vision with the R&A to use the latest technologies to create a truly immersive experience for the millions of fans watching the global broadcast. With new innovations such as Spidercam being rolled out this year, The 153rd Open will get fans closer tor the action than ever before.' The Open is the longest single broadcast in golf, with 48 hours of live coverage on air over four days from next Thursday. — The Guardian
