Sky Sports Golf in race against time to strike deal with USGA and show US Open

Sky Sports Golf has yet to agree a deal to broadcast the US Open in June, according to The Guardian. 

Talks are said to be "ongoing" between Sky and the USGA ahead of the third major of the season at Los Angeles Country Club from June 15-18. 

But as it stands, no deal is in place. Apparently the price being asked is sky high. 

A USGA spokesperson told The Guardian: 

According to the Guardian report, "Sky balked at the price initially quoted for a deal with the USGA, which is negotiated by a third-party agent in the UK." 

While Sky remains hopeful of a deal being struck with little more than two months to go, there is potential for the same thing to happen as the US PGA Championship five years ago. 

As the Guardian highlights in its report, "motivation for Sky to cover the US Open could also be diminished by timings associated with it being staged on the west coast of the US."

Some UK golf fans may recall the 2018 US PGA was broadcast by Eleven Sports after Sky failed to strike a deal with the USGA. 

Sky acquired the US PGA again a year later though, made easier by the fact Eleven Sports' broadcast was widely criticsed by golf fans. 

The good news for Sky is that there is seemingly a lack of alternative options available to the USGA with the likes of BT Sport and BBC having already ruled themselves out the running to show live golf tournaments. 

The BBC is not even present at The Masters this week as part of a cost-cutting exercise. It marks the end of their 56-year association with golf's first major of the season. 

Sky has become the new 'Home for Golf' for UK fans and currently has deals in place to show three of the four majors this season, starting at The Masters this week. 

It also has a partnership with the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LPGA Tour. 

Sky has shown no interest in LIV Golf. 

England's Matthew Fitzpatrick will be defending the US Open following his memorable one-stroke victory at Brookline last June. 

Will Sky get the US Open this June? What do you make of Sky Sports Golf's coverage at large? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.