More LPGA coverage is on its way. ESPN+ will now stream featured groups at this week’s Kroger Queen City Championship and the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. Both events are presented by P&G.
At the new Kroger Queen City in Cincinnati, 18 of the world’s top 30 players will be featured. This marks the first time featured groups at LPGA events are streamed live on any platform. The ESPN+ feed will deliver the complete rounds of two featured groups in both the morning and afternoon waves of each tournament day.
Thursday’s groups include: (8:36 a.m. ET) Brooke Henderson, Paula Creamer and Minjee Lee; (8:47 a.m.) Leona Maguire, Stacy Lewis, Sei Young Kim; (1:14 p.m.) Ally Ewing, Hannah Green, Andrea Lee; and (1:25) Paula Reto, Sarah Schmelzel, Angela Stanford.
Friday’s featured groups include a whole new slate of players including: (8:36 a.m.) Lexi Thompson, Jessica Korda, Atthaya Thitikul; (8:47 a.m.) Danielle Kang, Jennifer Kupcho, Ashleigh Buhai; (1:14 p.m.) Marina Alex, Alison Lee, Gaby Lopez; (1:25 p.m.) Anna Nordqvist, Mina Harigae, Megan Khang.
ESPN first began televising LPGA golf on Sept. 8, 1979, the network’s second day on air. ESPN regularly aired LPGA events from 1979-2009 but hadn’t covered an event since the 2018 CME Group Tour Championship.
“Partnering with ESPN+ to stream featured groups at these two events is a very important step for the LPGA,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan in a release. “Our goal is always to deliver more content and more engagement opportunities for our current fans and to expose new fans to the skill and personalities of our amazing athletes. ESPN+ is the perfect platform for us to accomplish these goals and for fans to see more great golf.”
Jane Crafter working for Golf Channel during the final round of the LPGA Sybase Classic at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, New Jersey. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
At the Cincinnati event, Will Haskett will host featured groups coverage alongside analyst and former LPGA player Jane Crafter. Amy Rogers and Hailey Hunter will provide reports and conduct live player interviews.
At the Arkansas stop, Ryan Burr will host the coverage and former LPGA player Gail Graham will fill the analyst role. Rogers and Chantel McCabe will provide reports and interviews.
Full coverage of week’s event will air on Golf Channel Sept. 8-9 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. ET and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekend.
