How to Watch The Open: Your Complete Viewing Strategy for Golf's Most Unpredictable Major

The Open Championship holds a special place in my heart, and I suspect if you're reading this, it does in yours too. There's something almost mystical about watching the world's best golfers battle not just each other, but the elements themselves on those windswept links courses. After covering and watching The Open for over two decades, I've learned that catching every meaningful moment requires more strategy than you might think.

The Broadcasting Landscape Has Changed Everything

Remember when watching The Open meant waking up at ungodly hours and praying your local sports channel would show more than just the leaders? Those days feel like ancient history now. The digital revolution has transformed how we consume this championship, and honestly, it's both a blessing and a curse.

In the United States, NBC holds the primary broadcast rights, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Their coverage typically begins around 1:30 AM ET for the early morning wave, which sounds brutal until you realize that's when the magic often happens. The morning conditions at British links courses can be dramatically different from the afternoon – I've seen players go out in dead calm and finish in 40 mph gusts.

What NBC doesn't tell you upfront is that their best coverage often lives on USA Network during the early rounds. They'll bounce you between channels like a pinball, which drove me crazy until I figured out their pattern. Thursday and Friday mornings start on USA Network, then shift to NBC proper around 7 AM ET. By the weekend, NBC takes over completely, but even then, they'll occasionally punt featured groups to Peacock, their streaming service.

The Streaming Revolution (And Why It Matters)

Peacock has become the secret weapon for serious Open watchers. For about $6 a month, you get access to featured group coverage that often surpasses what's on traditional TV. Last year, I watched Rory McIlroy's entire round on Peacock while NBC was showing commercials and fluff pieces. The featured group coverage lets you follow specific players from first tee to final putt – no cutting away for "playing through" commercials or network obligations.

But here's where it gets interesting. The R&A (the organizing body of The Open) offers its own streaming option through TheOpen.com. Their coverage includes something called "Open Zone," which is essentially their version of NFL RedZone for golf. They bounce between the most crucial shots happening across the course in real-time. It's absolutely frenetic and completely addictive.

International Options That Americans Miss

If you're willing to get creative with VPNs (and I'm not saying you should, just that people do), the BBC's coverage remains the gold standard. Their commentary team actually understands links golf – they don't spend 20 minutes explaining why someone's hitting a 4-iron from 140 yards. The BBC iPlayer offers comprehensive coverage without the endless commercial breaks that plague American broadcasts.

Sky Sports in the UK provides even more extensive coverage, often starting before dawn and running until dusk. Their analysis segments between rounds feature former Open champions who actually remember what it's like to play these courses in championship conditions. Peter Alliss might be gone, but the tradition of thoughtful, knowledgeable commentary lives on.

The Art of Multi-Screen Viewing

Let me paint you a picture of my typical Open Championship setup, refined over years of trial and error. The main TV runs the primary broadcast, usually NBC or BBC depending on my VPN mood. My laptop streams the featured groups on Peacock, positioned just below the TV on a makeshift stand (a stack of golf magazines, naturally). My tablet shows the Open Zone coverage, and my phone keeps the leaderboard open with live scoring.

This might sound excessive, but The Open has a rhythm unlike any other major. The weather can change the entire complexion of the tournament in 20 minutes. I've watched early starters post scores in benign conditions, only to see afternoon players literally blown off the course. You need multiple feeds to catch these dynamics as they unfold.

Timing Your Viewing for Maximum Drama

The dirty secret about watching The Open is that the best golf often happens when Americans are sleeping. Those 3 AM tee times aren't just scheduling quirks – they're often when players post the scores that define the tournament. The wind typically builds throughout the day on links courses, meaning early starters can sometimes gain a two or three-shot advantage just through favorable conditions.

I've developed a routine that probably isn't healthy but works: Thursday and Friday, I'll wake up around 4 AM ET to catch the meat of the morning wave. There's something surreal about drinking coffee in the dark while watching golfers navigate Royal St. George's or St. Andrews in full daylight. I'll usually doze off around 8 AM, then wake up for the afternoon coverage around noon.

The weekend requires more commitment. Saturday (Moving Day) at The Open can be absolutely wild. The R&A isn't afraid to use brutal pin positions, and with the pressure ratcheting up, you'll see more dramatic swings than at any other major. I block out the entire day, from the first tee shot to the final putt.

Understanding the Unique Broadcast Challenges

Links golf presents unique challenges for broadcasters that affect your viewing experience. The courses are massive, often with multiple holes playing alongside each other. Camera angles that work at Augusta National or Pebble Beach become useless when the wind is howling off the Irish Sea.

The best broadcasts understand this. They'll show you the ball fighting against the wind, use ground-level cameras to capture the firm conditions, and actually let you hear the natural sound of the championship. Nothing beats the sound of a perfectly struck iron shot boring through a 30 mph crosswind.

American broadcasts sometimes struggle with this. They're used to parkland golf where the ball does what you expect it to do. They'll often miss the subtle brilliance of a player hitting a low runner from 200 yards instead of flying it to the pin. If you can access international feeds, you'll get commentary from people who understand that sometimes the best shot is the one that finishes 40 feet from the hole.

The Social Media Factor

Twitter (or X, whatever we're calling it now) becomes essential during The Open. The time difference means many American golf writers and commentators are watching in real-time, offering insights you won't get on the broadcast. Following accounts like @NoLayingUp, @GolfChannel, and various UK golf writers adds layers to the viewing experience.

But be careful. The Open's social media team loves to post spoilers, and if you're recording coverage to watch later, you'll need to go into full media blackout. I learned this the hard way in 2019 when Shane Lowry's victory was spoiled by a push notification before I'd even started watching the final round.

Technical Considerations for the Modern Viewer

Your internet connection becomes crucial during Open week. Streaming multiple feeds simultaneously requires serious bandwidth – I'd recommend at least 25 Mbps to avoid the dreaded buffering wheel during crucial putts. If you're using a VPN for international feeds, that adds another layer of complexity. Not all VPNs are created equal; some will slow your connection to unusable speeds.

I've also learned to download the official Open app, despite its quirks. The live scoring is more reliable than most websites, and they offer shot tracking that helps when you're following multiple groups. The app's video highlights are usually available quickly, perfect for catching up on what you missed during those inevitable bathroom breaks.

The Weekend Warrior's Approach

Not everyone can dedicate four full days to watching golf, and that's fine. If you need to be selective, here's my advice: skip Thursday morning, catch Thursday afternoon and Friday morning if possible, and absolutely clear your schedule for the weekend. The Open has a way of building drama differently than other majors. The weather forecast becomes must-see TV by Saturday morning.

Sunday at The Open offers drama you can't find anywhere else. The champion golfer of the year might need to play the round of their life just to maintain their lead. I've seen seven-shot leads evaporate in nine holes when the wind picks up. The back nine on Sunday, particularly the final four or five holes, demands your full attention.

Beyond the Broadcast

The Open's official YouTube channel posts excellent daily highlights, usually within an hour of play ending. These aren't your typical sports highlights – they understand the narrative of the round, showing not just birdies and bogeys but the shots that set them up. Their "Every Shot" series for the leaders is particularly valuable if you missed the live coverage.

Podcasts have also become part of my Open routine. "The Fried Egg" and "No Laying Up" often record daily recap pods that add context you might have missed. They'll explain why a certain pin position was borderline unfair or break down the strategic decisions that led to success or failure.

A Personal Confession

I'll admit something: I've called in sick to work for Open Championships. There's something about links golf at 5 AM that makes corporate meetings seem particularly pointless. The tournament represents golf in its purest, most challenging form. Watching players navigate conditions that would make most of us quit after three holes reminds me why I fell in love with this game.

The modern viewing experience, with all its options and complications, has made The Open more accessible than ever. But it's also made it easier to miss what makes this championship special. The best moments often come not from perfect shots but from recovery shots – watching a player manufacture something from an impossible lie, using the ground and wind as allies rather than enemies.

Final Thoughts on the Viewing Experience

Watching The Open Championship properly requires commitment, planning, and probably too much caffeine. But when you see a perfectly judged shot hold its line through a biblical crosswind, or watch a player hole a putt on a green running at 13 on the stimpmeter with the tournament on the line, you'll understand why we go through all this trouble.

The technology has made it easier to watch more golf than ever before. But don't let the multiple screens and streaming options distract from what makes The Open special. Sometimes the best viewing experience is simply picking a featured group and following them for 18 holes, learning the course's rhythms and understanding why certain holes play harder or easier as conditions change.

This championship connects us to golf's roots in a way the other majors can't quite match. Whether you're watching on NBC, streaming on Peacock, or finding creative ways to access the BBC's superior coverage, remember that you're witnessing history. The names on the Claret Jug include everyone who ever mattered in professional golf. Watching The Open properly means appreciating not just the golf but the tradition, the conditions, and the unique challenge that links golf presents.

So set those alarms, prepare your streaming setup, and get ready for four days of golf unlike anything else in the sport. The Open Championship awaits, and now you know how to watch it properly.

Authoritative Sources:

"The Open Championship: The Official History." The R&A, 2022.

Cousins, Geoffrey. Golf in Britain: A Social History from the Beginnings to the Present. Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1975.

NBC Sports Group. "NBC Sports Presents 151st Open Championship." NBCUniversal Media, 2023.

The R&A. "Media Guide: The Open Championship." R&A Championships Limited, 2023.

Wind, Herbert Warren. Following Through: Herbert Warren Wind on Golf. Ticknor & Fields, 1985.