By Sam Woiteshek Jan. 28, 2022
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Yes folks, the moment has arrived. The oft-discussed partnership between the PGA Tour and Netflix is now official, resulting in upcoming, immersive programming that golfers and lovers of sport can appreciate. Finally, fans of professional golf will have the ability to view behind-the-scenes clips of some of the game’s biggest personalities and events.
Specifically, The Masters, U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and THE PLAYERS Championship are among the highlighted tournaments that will be featured. As far as A-listers are concerned, get ready to go inside the mind of Brooks Koepka, learn about why Jordan Spieth is so great, and experience the training regimen of current World No. 2 Colin Morikawa. Similarly, the show is an excellent opportunity for lesser-known, yet very talented players — such as Max Homa or Kevin Na — to establish themselves in front of a global audience.
The show will be modeled off Formula One’s “Drive to Survive” series, which has attracted north of 50 million viewers. Vox Media has been named the leading producer, and filming has already begun and will continue throughout the 2022 season.
While the financial implications of the deal were not explicitly stated, this is not the first time the PGA Tour has attempted to venture into the entertainment industry. In 2019, the league announced a partnership with Discovery, worth $2 billion, that was aimed at creating a multi-platform, global home for the sport. It is unclear if the Netflix deal reflects a second effort on behalf of the PGA Tour, but the heightened name/brand recognition that Netflix provides will undoubtedly yield more awareness for golf overall.
The most devoted of golf fans can attest that there are limited behind-the-scenes footage opportunities for the sport, unlike other major sports such as football (e.g. “Hard Knocks”) or basketball (e.g. “The Last Dance”). Thus, the partnership between PGA Tour and Netflix is thrilling for those who wish to live vicariously through the game’s best or simply learn more about golf.
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