Coming up on Golf Channel…May 4 - 10, 2009 more than 35 Hours of Live tournament and news coverage of The Players.

The Players
Golf Channel will combine exclusive live tournament coverage with Live From The Players news reporting for more than 35 hours of The Players programming.

Thursday and Friday beginning at 1 p.m. ET, Golf Channel will air 12 hours of live coverage of The Players. Brian Hammons will serve as play-by-play host, joined by Nick Faldo as lead analyst. Gary Koch and Bob Murphy will report from on-course towers; Roger Maltbie, Jimmy Roberts and Dottie Pepper will report from the course and show host Rich Lerner will set the scene for viewers at the beginning of the telecasts and also will conduct player interviews. At 9 p.m. ET, PGA Tour Primetime will air a condensed three hour prime-time replay that will include bonus coverage not seen during the initial telecasts.

Originating from the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass' Stadium Course, Live From The Players, Golf Channel's signature news show produced in HD, will go inside the ropes throughout the week with live news reports, authoritative analysis and compelling features from a variety of angles to provide viewers a comprehensive examination of The Players.

Tuesday: Live From the Players will air Tiger Woods' and Phil Mickelson's news conferences live at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET, respectively. Coverage will continue from 2-4 p.m. ET with pre-event news conferences, hosted by Rich Lerner and Charlie Rymer. Live From The Players will return with a two-hour show from 6-8 p.m. ET.

Wednesday: Live coverage of pre-tournament news conferences will air from 2 - 4:30 p.m. ET, including defending champion Sergio Garcia at 4 p.m. ET. Live From will return for a two-hour show from 6-8 p.m. ET to recap the day's activities and preview Thursday's opening round.

Thursday - Friday: Two-hour preview shows beginning at 11 a.m. ET, leading into Golf Channel's live tournament coverage at 1 p.m. ET. Live From The Players will recap the first two rounds beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

Saturday - Sunday: 90-minute preview shows beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET, leading into NBC Sports live coverage, followed by two-hour recap shows at 7 p.m. ET.

Live From The Players broadcast team will include Vince Cellini, Rich Lerner, Steve Sands, Kelly Tilghman, Brandel Chamblee, Frank Nobilo, Charlie Rymer, Inga Hammond, Scott Walker, Adam Barr, Alex Miceli and John Hawkins. GolfChannel.com's team of writers - Jay Coffin, Rex Hoggard and Randall Mell - will contribute to the network's Live From coverage as well as daily stories, blogs and features online at www.GolfChannel.com.

Talk Show and Original Programming Highlights:

Big Break Prince Edward Island
Monday at 9 p.m. ET, the competition begins to heat up and the pressure might be too much to handle for the contestants on a new episode of Big Break Prince Edward Island. The episode will feature the remaining 10 contestants competing head-to-head for immunity and $1,000 cash from Dick's Sporting Goods, all the while trying to fend off elimination. Produced in high definition, the contestants are competing for a grand prize of $100,000 in cash. Hosted by Stina Sternberg and Charlie Rymer.

The Golf Fix (Special Guest, Charles Howell III)
Monday at 8 p.m. ET, PGA TOUR professional Charles Howell III will join host Michael Breed on The Golf Fix, GOLF CHANNEL's half-hour, fast-paced interactive instructional show featuring call-ins and emails from viewers. Howell will discuss his preparation for THE PLAYERS. The Finau Brothers, Gipper and Tony, also will provide driving tips to hit the ball farther.

Best of The Players (Premiere)
Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET at 9 p.m. ET, Golf Channel will preview The Players, feature 2008 champion Sergio Garcia and re-air some of the top moments at TPC Sawgrass' Stadium Course.

The Approach with Callaway Golf (100th Episode)
Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET, Andrew Magee and Alex Miceli will tackle the top storylines in golf from different perspectives, preview THE PLAYERS in an entertaining and informative manner and celebrate the show's 100th episode on The Approach with Callaway Golf. Taking place at TPC Sawgrass. Kraig Kann will serve as host and moderator.

Grey Goose 19th Hole
Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, PGA Tour Executive Vice President of Communications and International Affairs, Ty Votaw will join the Grey Goose 19th Hole to discuss The Players with host Vince Cellini and analysts John Hawkins and Jeff Rude on-site at TPC Sawgrass.

Live Tournaments Programming Highlights:

BMW Italian Open
2010 European Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie and major champions John Daly and Paul Lawrie will headline the field at the 2009 BMW Italian Open on the European Tour. Thursday - Friday, live coverage will air from 9:30 - 11 a.m. ET, followed by three-hour coverage Saturday and Sunday starting at 9:30 a.m. ET.

For more information, contact Golf Channel Public Relations at 407-355-4653.