The Open: how 5 live covers the event

John Inverdale is brilliant.



Why was Vassos on breakfast from The Open and not George Riley?

John Inverdale excellent as ever, should be presenting every afternoon on 5 live. Certainly would have made a better anchor for the Wimbledon coverage.

John Inverdale a better anchor than Richard Bacon? Surely you jest...no, really!

Notice you've closed for comments your blog on phone-hacking, crafty .....s!



You lot keep on ranting on that this story is going to run and run. Clearly for the wrong reason!

Why isn't the golf on 5live sports extra or whatever it is? I hate sport and have had to switch to another station.



Agree with you Nick, as the NOTW story enters marathon territory, strange how they have closed the blog.

The BBC strike has taken a bit of a toll, will Invers be there this afternoon? And Clare? Where is Carter? Is Nicky is having a lie in?

Phew, Carter had a lie in.

And lovely Invers IS there. Another phew. Could he please be offered a new daily contract?



Keeping to the point of this blog, I am always far more impressed by the radio golf commentary than the TV. I know Alliss is an institution but the combo of Ian and Jay, who can be quite feisty in a friendly sort of way, is so compelling. Plus Murray. Yesterday it was mentioned only two people covered a very early broadcast of the Open way back when. Now it is seamless and entertaining. Shame zelda doesn't like golf, I agree with her it should be on 5LSE, because of its sheer length of coverage over the day.

Not missing those who are on strike at all. Hasn't spolit the golf coverage. Perhaps money could be saved by encouraging them to say away permanently.

This morning at about 8-20, one of the guests was speaking of the British Open as being the English Open and wasn't corrected. He was hoping for an English winner in the "home" major.

BBC TV, please push for Scottish venues for the beautiful scenery between shots. This venue does not match up.

So apergatika dislikes the use of the word "English".



Why so, especially when we are all expected to get behind "Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy".



And as for hosting The Open in Scotland, well why should that be the case? After all, just because a sport is invented in a particular country doesn't mean that country should have a divine right to host major tournaments.



Maybe you'd like to ban the use of the 'E' word; well there's plenty who think like that at the BBC.

FACT This is the BRITISH Open, this year held in England. The commentator was working for the Bbc not Ebc. The place lacks those extra beautiful TV asides showing the scenery, why, because there ain't any worth looking at. We are spoiled up here, I know.

Yes it is the (British) Open.



We also have a Scottish Open too. Why can't the (British) Open become the English Open though, that wouldn't take anything away from the Scottish tournament.



As for scenery, well it doesn't say much for Golf if the quality or enjoyability of the coverage is dependant on the availability of a nearby beauty spot for the cameras to pan to does it.



Other sports sre able to hold their viewers' attention without the need for a nearby mountain range to look at between plays.



And as for this being the BBC, well there are times I feel I'm paying for the CBC/SBC with their denial of English identity and their obsession with the Celtic Nations.



Of course people in Scotland and Wales are more than welcome to vote for independence if they don't like the way things work now...

There is no british open. It is the open championship. It is world wide and anyone can enter. It is played in britain. The scottish open is a european tour event. The open is run by the R&A. If someone from england wins it is still their 'home major'. If rory wins it will be his 'home major' too.

I've been following golf for years on tv and on radio. My belief is that in England the sport is quite elitist, where in Scotland it is played by everyone from upper to working class. I tuned into bbc tv to watch on thursday and friday and thought the coverage so much poorer than usual. The competition is so tight but they only really showed about 10 golfers. (unless someone did something spectacular). At least we didn't have to suffer Sam Torrance. Maybe I have got too used to Sky's exellent coverage where they have Professional golfers discussing the golf in the studio. the bbc coverage has too much trivial nonsense. (the guy on the course, I think his name is Walker, for eg.) You have to sit through this guff wondering how golfers are faring on the course. More leaderboard coverage from start to finish.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Is there any chance of the BBC signing up jim nantz? He did a stint on tv. He came across very well informed and very easy to listen to. Everything that Clair Balding isn't. The guy is superb.

To say that golf in England is elitist is utter rubbish. There are, of course, private clubs that wouldn't let you through the gate but the rest of England is blessed with hundreds and hundreds of public courses crammed with enthusiasts. I do agree that hardly any of the field featured on Thursday and Friday but it is better today with the participants thinned by the cut.

Mananon,the Royal and Ancient, from ST Andrews run The Open which is mostly held in Scotland. I DO like the way it is normally but they have to allow England to hold a few just to keep them interested. If YOU don't like the way it is, you can vote for English independence and watch golf wither on the vine.

Great blog Graham and fantastic coverage as ever from the Five Live golf team this weekend.



Not sure if Graham will be looking at the comments but if so is there any chance of Paul Eales re-joining the Five Live team? He was poached and now dumped by BBCTV which is a big shame he's a top golf summeriser, it would be good if Five Live could get him back for next year.



If not Paul what about Jamie Spence who was used last year and in previous years, it makes much more sence to have 6 summerisers to be paired with the 6 commentators?

Fantastic coverage Graham, congratulations to you and all your team.