Sky extends rights to The Open until 2024

UK pay-television broadcaster Sky will continue to broadcast The Open golf major until 2024 after agreeing a three-year deal with rights-holder the R&A.

Its previous agreement had been due to expire after the 2021 event.

The deal has been signed ahead of the 2019 Open Championship, which takes place from July 18-21 at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

In February 2015, Sky agreed a five-year deal with the R&A to cover The Open from 2017 until 2021. However, after public-service broadcaster the BBC ended its deal early, Sky assumed coverage from the 2016 edition.

Italy’s Francesco Molinari is the defending Open champion having won the 2018 event at Carnoustie in Scotland.