Golf Channel to Show Start of The Open Qualifying Series for 2016 with the Emirates Australian Open

Australian Open Marks First of 14 Open Qualifying Series Events Leading up to NBC Sports Group’s Coverage of The Open

(Orlando, Fla.) – The official qualifying process for The 145TH Open at Royal Troon will begin at the Emirates Australian Open, airing live in primetime on Golf Channel, Nov. 25-28. The Australian Open is the first of 14 events in nine countries that will comprise The Open Qualifying Series for 2016.

The Australian Open field includes defending champion and World No. 2 Jordan Spieth, Aussie standouts Adam Scott, Marc Leishman, Steven Bowditch and John Senden, along with Englishman Lee Westwood. Golf Channel’s coverage will air in primetime, Wednesday-Saturday from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. ET.

NBC Sports Group will televise the first three events of The Open Qualifying Series for 2016, with the Australian Open, followed by the Thailand Golf Championship (Dec. 10-13) and the Joburg Open (Jan. 14-17). For a full list of The Open Qualifying Series 2016 events, visit here.

Earlier this year NBC Sports Group and The R&A announced their long-term media agreement, starting with The 145TH Open at Royal Troon from July 14-17, 2016. The Open will represent Golf Channel’s first live coverage of a men’s major championship. The partnership with The R&A also includes coverage of The Senior Open Championship and RICOH Women's British Open. And in 2016, The Open will commence an unprecedented 12-week stretch of premiere golf events for NBC Sports Group, including golf’s return to the Olympic Games, the FedExCup Playoffs and the Ryder Cup.