NBC Sports Group's Coverage of Tiger Woods’ Return at Hero World Challenge

Tiger Woods Scheduled to Return to Competition at Hero World Challenge, Featuring 10 of the Top-15 in the World Golf Rankings in the 18-Player Field

(ORLANDO, Fla.) – Golf Channel and NBC are teaming up in December to deliver comprehensive news and tournament coverage of the game best players – past, present and future – at the Hero World Challenge (Dec. 4-7) and the PNC Father/Son Challenge (Dec. 12-14), both taking place in Orlando, Fla.

HERO WORLD CHALLENGE TO FEATURE TIGER WOODS’ RETURN: The Hero World Challenge will feature the scheduled return to tournament competition of former World No. 1 Tiger Woods after a layoff while recovering from back surgery earlier this year.  Taking place at Isleworth Golf and Country Club, the tournament will feature 18 of the PGA TOUR’s top players competing in a 72-hole, stroke play event for a $1 million prize.  Golf Channel will air live coverage Thursday, Dec. 4 and Friday, Dec. 5, followed by weekend coverage on both Golf Channel and NBC, Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7.

HERO WORLD CHALLENGE BROADCAST TEAMS: Terry Gannon and Frank Nobilo will call the action for Golf Channel’s live tournament coverage Thursday and Friday, Dec. 4-5 as well as its weekend “lead-in” coverage Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7.  Dan Hicks and Roger Maltbie will anchor NBC’s weekend coverage, with Gary Koch, Notah Begay, Billy Kratzert and Steve Sands reporting for both Golf Channel and NBC’s coverage.

JACK NICKLAUS HEADLINES HALL-OF-FAME FIELD AT PNC FATHER/SON CHALLENGE: Hall-of-Famer Jack Nicklaus and his son, Jack II, headline a 20-team field comprised of World Golf Hall-of-Fame members, golf legends and their children at the PNC Father/Son Challenge, taking place Thursday, Dec. 11 – Sunday, Dec. 14 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Fla.  Golf Channel on NBC analyst and Hall-of-Famer Johnny Miller also will compete in the PNC Father/Son Challenge for the first time in eight years, playing alongside his son, Andy.  The 2014 field boasts 452 victories across the PGA and European Tours, including 59 major championships and 14 World Golf Hall of Fame members.  To qualify for the PNC Father/Son Challenge, participants must have won either a major championship or THE PLAYERS in their career. The professional’s partner must not currently hold a Tour card, and while the majority of partners in the history of the event have been the sons of the golf legends, the family-themed tournament has seen daughters and grandsons participate over the years.  Golf Channel and NBC will carry two days of coverage, Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14.  Golf Channel also will air a special Pro-Am Show on Friday, Dec. 12, taking viewers inside the ropes with the players in the field as they prepare for competition and share instruction tips and insight with viewers.

PNC FATHER/SON CHALLENGE BROADCAST TEAM:  Steve Sands and Gary Koch will anchor Golf Channel and NBC’s weekend coverage of the PNC Father/Son Challenge.  Peter Jacobsen will report from an on-course tower, with Notah Begay and Roger Maltbie reporting from the course.  Jimmy Roberts will deliver his signature essays and conduct post-round interviews.

GOLF CENTRAL AND MORNING DRIVE ON-SITE AT HERO WORLD CHALLENGE AND PNC FATHER/SON CHALLENGE: Golf Central will provide wraparound news coverage of both the Hero World Challenge and the PNC Father/Son Challenge.  Morning Drive, Golf Channel’s daily news and lifestyle show, also will conduct live interviews throughout the week at both the Hero World Challenge and the PNC Father/Son Challenge.

LIVE THURSDAY AND FRIDAY COVERAGE OF THE FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SHOOTOUT: Golf Channel will televise live coverage of the first two days of the Franklin Templeton Shootout on Thursday, Dec. 11 and Friday, Dec. 12 from 1-4 p.m. ET.  The 24-player field (12 two-man teams) features eight of the top-30 players in the world, including reigning FedExCup champion Billy Horschel and six 2014 Ryder Cup participants.  Last year’s champions, Harris English and Matt Kuchar, will defend their title as the teams compete for a piece of the $3.1 million purse.  The format of the tournament will be a Scramble (Thursday), Modified Alternate Shot (Friday) and Better Ball (Saturday).

FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SHOOTOUT BROADCAST TEAM: Rich Lerner and Frank Nobilo anchor Golf Channel’s Thursday and Friday coverage of the Franklin Templeton Shootout, joined by tower announcers Curt Byrum and Tom Abbott.  Phil Parkin and Scott McCarron will report from the course.