Fox lands U.S. Open golf coverage

Fox Sports is set to tee it up in the world of Grand Slam golf, landing a 12-year deal with the U.S. Golf Association to televise the U.S. Open, the U.S. Women's Open and the U.S. Senior Open.

The contract runs from 2015 to 2026, and it represents Fox's first foray into golf's major events. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

The Fox deal will encompass 146 hours of televised golf on Fox and the soon-to-be-launched Fox Sports 1, with a minimum of 70 hours from the three top USGA events. The rest will come from such events as the U.S. Amateur. Multimedia coverage is also a part of the agreement, including mobile-app integration.

"This is an exciting and remarkable day for the USGA, as our partnership with the Fox Sports is a game-changer for our organization and for the game of golf," USGA president Glen Nager said in a statement. "The game is evolving and requires bold and unique approaches on many levels, and Fox shares our vision to seek fresh thinking and innovative ideas to deliver championship golf. This partnership will help us to better lead and serve the game in new and exciting ways."

Fox Sports co-president and co-chief operating officer Eric Shanks said in a statement, "We're looking forward to Fox Sports becoming home to the preeminent golf championship in the world. We're committed to elevating coverage of USGA events on every level, infusing them with a new energy and innovation that will make every championship the best golf event on television."

The move to Fox will end NBC's run of covering the U.S. Open, which began in 1995. The NBC crew, featuring outspoken analyst Johnny Miller, will call its last U.S. Open next year at Pinehurst in North Carolina. Fox takes over the following year when the event is played at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash.