BBC gives up TV rights to The Open a year early as Sky Sports takes over for Royal Troon in 2016

• The Open live coverage moves to Sky Sports from next year
• Sky won the broadcasting rights from the BBC in February this year
• But Sky will start their contract a year early after the corporation pulled out of agreement to show tournament live from Royal Troon in 2016
• It brings to an end 60 years of live Open golf on the BBC 
• Viewers reacted with dismay on Twitter, with one calling it a 'travesty'

By Chris Cutmore for MailOnline

Published: 03:39 EST, 30 September 2015 | Updated: 07:59 EST, 30 September 2015

The Open has been broadcast live on the BBC for the final time after the corporation gave up its rights to show next year's tournament at Royal Troon, with Sky Sports taking over as host broadcaster a year early.

The BBC earlier this year lost The Open to Sky, who were prepared to pay £15million a year while the state broadcaster, facing huge budget cuts imposed by the government, bid just £10m a year, prioritising spending on events such as Wimbledon and the Olympics, as well as Premier League football highlights on Match of the Day. The deal brought to an end 60 years of The Open being shown live on the BBC.

The R&A, golf's governing body, confirmed that Sky will not pay any more to broadcast The Open in 2016, despite gaining an extra year on the five-year contract for exclusive rights to live TV coverage agreed in February.

Hazel Irvine and Peter Alliss were the faces of live golf for the BBC, which has given up The Open

Zach Johnson lifted the Claret Jug at St Andrews after winning the final Open to be shown live by the BBC

(From left) Paul McGinley, Butch Harmon and presenter Sarah Stirk are among the Sky Sports golf team

The early end to the contract means that viewers will no longer be able to enjoy the likes of veteran commentator Peter Alliss, for so long the voice of golf on the Beeb, and popular presenter Hazel Irvine during live coverage of The Open.

BBC Sport director Barbara Slater said in a statement: 'In light of financial developments, the choice to amend the current contract from next year was a pragmatic one. 

'We know that many fans are unhappy with the loss of rights and in an ideal world the BBC would still be the home of live coverage of The Open.'

The R&A confirmed that it had been approached by the BBC in recent weeks to discuss an early release from its contract to provide live coverage from Troon, which will stage the 145th Open Championship in July next year.

'After significant deliberation, The R&A has accepted the BBC’s proposal and agreed that the BBC be allowed to amend its broadcast arrangements for The Open 12 months early,' read a statement. 

'As a result of these discussions, The R&A approached Sky Sports to assess its willingness to broadcast The Open from 2016 rather than 2017. The R&A is grateful to Sky Sports for agreeing to commence live broadcasting of The Open a year early.

'No additional revenue will be received by The R&A in 2016 as a result of this new arrangement.'

Rory McIlroy missed this year's Open through injury but will be back in action at Royal Troon in 2016

Tiger Woods, still golf's biggest name despite his slump in form, will also be at The Open, fitness permitting

Golf's new superstar, Jordan Spieth, will be among the big names to watch at The Open in 2016

Martin Slumbers, who took over from Peter Dawson as chief executive of the R&A only this month, said he was 'sad' that the BBC would no longer show The Open live.

'It is sad to see the BBC’s live coverage of The Open end and I know some fans will be disappointed,' said Slumbers. 'The relationship between The R&A and the BBC spans more than 60 years and we understand the challenging circumstances that the BBC is currently presented with.'

The BBC will show a two-hour Open highlights programme at peak time, and will continue to broadcast live radio commentary, plus what it describes as an 'enhanced' digital offering.

The corporation denied reports in June that it was considering ending its live television coverage after this year's Open at St Andrews. 'We remain committed to our current contract with the R&A,' a spokesman said at the time.

The agreement means Sky Sports will show all four of golf's major tournaments as well as the Ryder Cup. 

The BBC has broadcast live golf from The Open for the last 60 years

Gary Lineker was among the high-profile figures who lamented the loss of The Open to pay TV

Many viewers reacted with dismay to the announcement that the BBC's coverage would be ending a year early, taking to Twitter to voice their opinion.

Richard Stoddart said: 'The Open never to be on the BBC again. What a travesty. #peterallis' 

'Completely gutted about the BBC's Open Championship decision,' said Andy Stevenson81.

'BBC losing The Open golf, more to add to the list of its losses! Maybe time to stop paying my license fee - just repeats galore! #justsaying' wrote another user called flynny. 

Edward Hall wrote: 'Sporting events such as The Open should not be on Sky etc. It should on BBC #golf' 

'The BBC - ditching the Open Championship like a used rag,' said Alan Greenwood. 

Charles Hoyland said: 'So the BBC are stopping live coverage of the Open Golf for "financial reasons". Can I suggest that they stop Eastenders for the same?' 

Many big names weighed in with stinging criticism when the BBC's loss of The Open was announced in February, reflecting dismay that the world's most prestigious golf tournament would no longer be shown on free-to-air TV in Britain.

Alliss has been the voice of live golf on the BBC since 1978, and first worked for the corporation in 1961

Alliss commentates for the BBC at The Open in 1985 at Royal St George's in Kent

England's former world No 1 Lee Westwood said that it meant golf would lose its appeal among the public, while Gary Lineker, the former England striker turned Match of the Day presenter, who also had a brief spell as a BBC golf presenter, called the TV switch a ‘damaging decision for golf.' 

But some golf fans welcomed the move, following the BBC's decision to show live only part of the weather-delayed final round of this year's Open, which was won by Zach Johnson at St Andrews. Most of the field had long been on the course before the BBC began its live transmission, while programmes such as Bargain Hunt were shown instead of live golf.

'We're pleased to begin our commitment to The Open a year early and look forward to bringing unprecedented coverage of this wonderful championship,' said Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis. 'We have exciting plans to take coverage of The Open to the next level across our TV, mobile and digital outlets.' 

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