Fox Sports will make its golf debut on Saturday in the third and final round of the Franklin Templeton Shootout at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla.
Lead announcer Joe Buck and analyst Greg Norman, along with the rest of the Fox Crew, will practice in a separate facility on Thursday and Friday while the Golf Channel handles the telecasts of the first and second rounds.
“I’m thrilled that Fox Sports has secured the rights to broadcast the tournament that I have hosted for the last 25 years, and equally excited about making my broadcasting debut with Joe Buck,” said Norman, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001 after winning 90 times around the world in his career, including the Open Championship in 1986 at Turnberry and in 1993 at Royal St. George’s.
“Fox Sports has always taken an innovative approach to sports broadcasting, and I’m certain that their coverage of golf will be no different. The Franklin Templeton Shootout is a unique event that showcases an outstanding collection of PGA Tour talent, while more importantly helping to generate awareness for children’s cancer research.
“I am honored that Fox Sports has added the event to their golf lineup.”
Fox Sports signed a 12-year contract with the United States Golf Association in 2013 that will begin with the U.S. Open next June at Chambers Bay Golf Course near Seattle.
Brad Faxon will be in the tower on the 17th hole for Fox Sports and Steve Flesch will be on the 16th hole, with Scott McCarron and instructor E.A. Tischler as on-course reporters.
Juli Inkster will be part of Fox’s team next year, but she will miss the Franklin Templeton Shootout because she will be attending Paula Creamer’s wedding. Holly Sonders also will be on the team,. but she is under contract with the Golf Channel until the end of the year.
