The PGA TOUR, alongside its media partners CBS Sports, ESPN, Golf Channel, and NBC, has launched a new initiative called Rapid Rounds starting during the 3M Open week. This feature delivers condensed versions of select player rounds, allowing fans to review every shot from top players shortly after each day’s play concludes. These fast-paced recaps are designed to help audiences catch up on the day’s action ahead of upcoming broadcasts.
How and Where Fans Can Access Rapid Rounds
Rapid Rounds will be available on various platforms associated with the PGA TOUR, including Golf Channel, NBC, CBS telecasts, and PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+. The content will feature key players highlighted during daily broadcasts, providing immediate recaps of drives, approaches, and putts. The first set of Rapid Rounds from the 3M Open will be released on ESPN and TOUR digital channels the Thursday following the opening day, with CBS Sports offering additional recaps from their weekend coverage of the 3M Open and Wyndham Championship.
NBC Sports platforms plan to roll out Rapid Rounds in August, beginning with the FedEx St. Jude Championship and continuing through the FedExCup Playoffs, including the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship.
Purpose Behind Rapid Rounds: Enhancing Fan Engagement
Rapid Rounds represents an innovative response to fan demand, driven by insights gathered through the PGA TOUR’s Fan Forward initiative. This program collected feedback from over 50,000 diverse golf enthusiasts, revealing that 44 percent of casual fans and 42 percent of core fans prioritized more highlights and round recaps above other content enhancements. The initiative aims to deepen fan connection by providing accessible, engaging content that complements live tournament coverage.
With more cameras and streams covering PGA TOUR tournaments than ever before, ‘Rapid Rounds’ will offer an additional way for fans to watch each drive, approach and putt from select players showcased across all our media platforms,
said Norb Gambuzza, PGA TOUR executive vice president, media.
Whether reliving an incredible round, catching up on the game’s biggest names or if they missed that day’s action, ‘Rapid Rounds’ offers a fast, easy way for fans to engage with their favorite stars and get excited for the next day’s live coverage.
—Norb Gambuzza, PGA TOUR Executive Vice President, Media
Players’ Perspective on the New Feature
Leading players have been actively involved in shaping Rapid Rounds through the PGA TOUR’s Fans, Tournaments and Sponsors Player Advisory Council Subcommittee. Justin Thomas, a 16-time PGA TOUR winner, reflected on the significance of the initiative:
It’s incredibly rewarding to see ‘Rapid Rounds’ come to life, as it’s been a passion project for us on the PGA TOUR’s Fans, Tournaments and Sponsors Player Advisory Council Subcommittee. Fan Forward has provided us with important direction on what PGA TOUR fans are craving, and we’ve worked hard to deliver an innovative way for our fans to engage with our players and tournaments. We are grateful for the TOUR’s media partners for embracing and supporting this new series.
—Justin Thomas, PGA TOUR Player
Integration Within the PGA TOUR Media Ecosystem
Rapid Rounds complements the extensive live coverage available throughout the PGA TOUR season. PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+ currently offers over 4,300 live and exclusive hours spanning 35 tournaments, including all eight Signature Events slated for 2025. This streaming platform is part of a long-term nine-year domestic media rights agreement announced in 2020, which has driven PGA TOUR LIVE to become the most-streamed live content on ESPN+ since its inception.
The addition of Rapid Rounds enhances this robust content offering, providing fans a new way to interact with player performances beyond traditional live coverage while keeping them informed and entertained between tournament days.
Future Outlook: Testing and Expanding Rapid Rounds
Currently in a testing phase through the end of 2025, Rapid Rounds is positioned as a dynamic element within the ongoing Fan Forward initiative designed to refine the fan experience continually. The PGA TOUR maintains a commitment to innovation by listening closely to its audience, integrating feedback, and launching initiatives that strengthen fan connections with both the sport and its biggest stars.
As Rapid Rounds evolves, it is expected to become an essential part of the PGA TOUR’s digital content strategy, promising faster, more focused access to key moments from top players and potentially reshaping how fans consume golf coverage in the future.
Our Reader’s Queries
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A. PGA stands for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America.
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