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Golf’s first major tournament of the year, The Masters, returns to Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., April 5-8 as the top players in the game compete for the coveted green jacket and a place in golf history. Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Steve Stricker are among the favorites, but one can never count out Tiger Woods. South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel (pictured) birdied the final four holes to capture his first major win at last year’s Masters. ESPN and CBS share coverage of the tournament through Sunday.

RELATED STORY: McIlroy looks to challenge Woods, Mickelson at Masters

Masters TV schedule below, followed by press releases from CBS, ESPN and GOLF CHANNEL:

2012 Masters TV Schedule

Thursday, April 5 — First Round, 3-7:30pm ET (ESPN)

Friday, April 5 — Second Round, 3-7:30pm ET (ESPN)

Saturday, April 6 — Third Round, 3:30-7pm ET (CBS)

Sunday, April 7 — Final Round, 2-7pm ET (CBS)

WORLD’S BEST GOLFERS COMPETE FOR COVETED GREEN JACKET AT 2012 MASTERS®

CBS SPORTS BROADCASTS MASTERS® FOR 57th CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Masters® Is Longest-Running Sporting Event Broadcast on One Network

The Masters®, the most renowned tournament in golf, will be broadcast on CBS for the 57th consecutive year from the majestic setting of Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. This year marks the 76th Masters Tournament, one of the most highly-anticipated sporting events of the year. Last year, South African Charl Schwartzel won his first Green Jacket with a record-setting birdie run on the final four holes. His birdie on the 18th hole capped off one of the most thrilling conclusions in the history of the Tournament as Schwartzel overtook Rory McIlroy, the 54-hole leader, Jason Day, Adam Scott, Tiger Woods, Geoff Ogilvy and Luke Donald.

CBS Sports will bring viewers all the color, artistry and drama inherent to the world’s most prestigious golf tournament and first major of the year with live third-round coverage of the Masters on Saturday, April 7 (3:30-7:00 PM, ET). Final-round 18-hole coverage is scheduled for Sunday, April 8 (2:00-7:00 PM, ET). Highlights of early-round play will be presented by CBS Sports on Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6 (11:35-11:50 PM, ET; both nights).

For the 27th consecutive year Jim Nantz will cover the Masters for CBS (his 25th year as host). He also handles coverage of the Highlight Shows, originating from Butler Cabin on the grounds of Augusta National. Three-time Masters champion Sir Nick Faldo joins Nantz in the 18th hole tower as lead analyst. Peter Oosterhuis will describe the action at the 17th hole; Verne Lundquist, the 16th hole; David Feherty, the 15th hole and Highlight Shows; Bill Macatee, the 14th hole; Peter Kostis, the 13th hole; and Ian Baker-Finch will tell the story at the 11th and 12th holes. Grant Boone and Matt Gogel call the live streaming video action for Amen Corner, along with Jerry Foltz and Billy Ray Brown for 15 & 16 and Andrew Catalon and Billy Kratzert for Featured Group and Jennifer Mills, Peter Oosterhuis and Kratzert call the action for Masters On The Range.

Augusta National, home of the Masters since its inception in 1934, is the unrivaled host to the world’s greatest players and the most memorable moments in golf. Schwartzel returns to Augusta to lead the tournament field of invitees, which is considered America’s most prestigious gathering of professional and amateur golfers. The 2012 tournament field of invitees expected to compete includes past Masters champions Woods, Phil Mickelson, Angel Cabrera, Vijay Singh, Mike Weir, Jose Maria Olazabal, Mark O’Meara, Trevor Immelman, Larry Mize, Ben Crenshaw, Fred Couples, Craig Stadler, Tom Watson, Zach Johnson, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle. Other U.S. players include Keegan Bradley, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Stewart Cink, Sean O’Hair, Nick Watney, Hunter Mahan and Matt Kuchar. Other international stars include Donald, McIlroy, Scott, Day, Ogilvy, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Ryo Ishikawa, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen, Padraig Harrington, Martin Laird, Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia, Tim Clark, Martin Kaymer, Paul Casey, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Aaron Baddeley, Y.E. Yang and Darren Clarke. (*For the complete 2012 Masters Tournament invitees log onto masters.com)

CBS Sports’ coverage of the Masters will be produced by Lance Barrow, coordinating producer of CBS Golf, along with David Winner, and directed by Steve Milton and Bob Matina. Jim Rikhoff will serve as replay producer. Bob Mansbach will produce the late night highlight shows and Chris Svendsen will direct. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports.

ESPN’s Live Masters Coverage Returns for Fifth Year

Live Play on WatchESPN; ESPN 3D Coverage Expands; SportsCenter Reports Start Monday

In its fifth year of live coverage of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, ESPN will air 4.5 hours of live Tournament play daily from the first two rounds, the traditional Par 3 Contest the day preceding the Tournament and 14 total hours of action on the ESPN 3D Network. Expansive news, information and analysis will appear on a variety of ESPN platforms in the U.S. and around the world, including television, radio, online and mobile devices.

ESPN and ESPN HD will air 4.5 hours of live first and second round action on Thursday, April 5, and Friday, April 6, from 3-7:30 p.m. ET with an edited encore presentation in prime time each night from 8-11 p.m. ESPN Deportes, ESPN’s Spanish-language U.S. sports network, also will televise the first and second rounds live from 3-7:30 p.m. and the ESPN 3D Network will air three hours of live play from the first two rounds each day starting at 4:30 p.m. as well as live play from the Saturday and Sunday rounds and the Par 3 Contest.

Prior to the live television windows Thursday and Friday, ESPN’s flagship news and information program SportsCenter will air updates every 30 minutes beginning at 9 a.m. daily.

Mike Tirico will serve as host of ESPN’s Thursday and Friday telecasts and will conduct player interviews from Augusta National’s Butler Cabin with analyst Curtis Strange. CBS will again produce the telecasts with CBS’ golf announce crew also contributing to the coverage. Paco Aleman and analyst Silvia Bertolaccini will present on ESPN Deportes with John Sutcliffe serving as the on-course reporter.

SportsCenter at the Masters

Live reports on SportsCenter from Augusta National Golf Club begin Monday, April 2, in the afternoon and continue through Sunday. Media Day is Tuesday, April 3, and SportsCenter will air the news conferences of Tiger Woods (1 p.m.) and Phil Mickelson (2:30 p.m.). Tirico and Scott Van Pelt will host SportsCenter reports from the Masters and will be joined by analysts Andy North, Paul Azinger and Strange, and reporter Tom Rinaldi. Van Pelt, North and Rinaldi also will present a special one-hour preview SportsCenter at the Masters on Wednesday, April 4, at 5 p.m. following the Par 3 Contest telecast. ESPN the Magazine’s Rick Reilly will provide essays for SportsCenter Wednesday through Sunday.

The Masters on ESPN 3D

ESPN’s television coverage will include 14 hours of programming in 3D on the ESPN 3D network, an additional 2.5 hours from last year’s coverage. Included will be three hours daily from all four rounds of Tournament action plus two hours of Wednesday’s Par 3 Contest. Thursday and Friday’s telecasts begin at 4:30 p.m. while the weekend telecasts begin at 4 p.m. The Par 3 Contest airs at 3 p.m. In 2010, the Masters became the first major sporting event produced and broadcast live in 3D internationally on television and the Internet. Gannon will host ESPN 3D’s telecasts with analyst Azinger Wednesday through Friday, while Tirico, Azinger and Strange will have the call Saturday and Sunday.

Masters Par 3 Contest

The Masters Par 3 Contest will air live Wednesday, April 4, from 3-5 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN 3D and ESPN3. The Par 3 Contest, which began in 1960, was first televised by ESPN in 2008. On ESPN, Tirico, North and Strange will be joined by Rinaldi, who will conduct interviews on the putting green, and on-ground reporter Peter Kostis. Host Terry Gannon and analyst Azinger will be the announcers on ESPN 3D.

The Masters on ESPN Digital Platforms

WatchESPN

All Masters programming on ESPN also is available on computers, smartphones and tablets through WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app, which are accessible to fans who receive their video service from an affiliated provider.

ESPN.com

· News, blogs and columns from ESPN.com national columnist Gene Wojciechowski and golf writers Farrell Evans and Bob Harig.

· “CoverItLive” application moderated by Michael Collins.

· “Championship Central” on the ESPN.com/Golf index page focusing on the majors and the Ryder Cup.

· The ESPN Golf Cast application, which offers an easy-to-use interface with scoring, “CoverItLive,” video and social media elements.

· “Road to The Masters” series tracking the latest news and historical look backs of the year’s first major. Included are 50+ Masters Moments video highlights.

· ESPNRadio.com with highlighted player interviews, course analysis and up-to-the minute updates of the Masters

· Video clips from ESPN golf analysts Andy North, Curtis Strange and Paul Azinger.

· Photo Galleries

· Live scoring from Masters.com

· ESPNDeportes.com editorial coverage of the Masters in Spanish will include comprehensive daily print and video content, with analysis from on-air talent Aleman, Bertolaccini and Sutcliffe.

ESPN3

ESPN’s multi-screen, live event sports network will simulcast ESPN’s telecast of the Masters Par 3 Contest on Wednesday, April 4, from 3-5 p.m.

Additional coverage of the Masters on ESPN platforms:

ESPN Radio

ESPN Radio will present updates from Augusta National Golf Club throughout the Masters Tournament Wednesday-Sunday, April 4-8. Reporter Dan Davis will have live hourly updates (4:40-9:40 p.m.) during the first two rounds and twice-an-hour reports at 20 and 40 minutes past the hour (1:20-8:40 p.m.) throughout the weekend’s SportsCenter Saturday and SportsCenter Sunday programs as well as during ESPN Radio’s NBA and MLB studio shows. Reports will also run on weekday’s SportsCenter AM (5-6 a.m.) and in SportsCenter Tonight (10 p.m.-1 a.m.) throughout the week.

ESPN the Magazine

The April 2 issue of ESPN the Magazine contains a multi-page Masters preview by Scott Miller. The Masters scorecards of three of this year’s favorites, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, are analyzed and Miller says the most crucial holes for each man lie back-to-back-to-back at Augusta (McIlroy – 10, Woods – 11, Mickelson – 12). Miller breaks down why the holes have made a difference to the three superstars in the Masters.

ESPN International

This year 95 countries will see the Masters on ESPN platforms. Fans in these countries can follow the Masters on ESPN television, online, mobile and broadband platforms. The Masters is available in:

· Asia (17.5 hours to 22 countries and 174 million households via ESS), plus two hours of Par 3 Contest coverage.

· Latin America and the Caribbean (all four rounds and the Par 3 Contest coverage to 51 Countries and more than 36 million households).

· In Canada, TSN and TSN-HD will air the first two rounds of the Masters and the Par 3 Contest live with same day re-airs in primetime of the final rounds. TSN’s networks reach approximately 15 million households.

· In Northern Africa and the Middle East, all four rounds and the Par 3 Contest will be televised to 21 countries.

· The Par 3 Contest, all four rounds of the Masters and exclusive broadband coverage of “Amen Corner,” a featured group and holes 15 and 16 will be live on ESPN Play in Spanish-speaking Latin America and on ESPN 360 in Brazil. Additionally, for the first time, a mobile/tablet version of ESPN Play will be available in Chile.

ESPNEWS

ESPNEWS will offer all the latest Masters news beginning Monday, April 2, with interviews, pre- and post-round news conferences and analysis from Scott Van Pelt, Andy North and Mike Tirico.

ESPN Classic

ESPN Classic will televise a 43-hour Masters Tribute featuring Official Masters Films beginning Tuesday, April 3, at 8 p.m. The tribute will include highlights from every year of the Masters from 1960 through 2011, with programming continuing all day Wednesday and through 3 p.m. on Thursday when first round coverage begins.

The Masters – Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, GA

Day/Date Program Start End Networks Wed., April 4 Masters Par 3 Contest 3 p.m. 5 p.m. ESPN, ESPN3, ESPN3D Wed., April 4 SportsCenter at the Masters 5 p.m. 6 p.m. ESPN Thu., April 5 First Round 3 p.m. 7:30 p.m. ESPN, ESPN Deportes Thu., April 5 First Round 4:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. ESPN 3D Thu., April 5 First Round (encore) 8 p.m. 11 p.m. ESPN Fri., April 6 Second Round 3 p.m. 7:30 p.m. ESPN, ESPN Deportes Fri., April 6 Second Round 4:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. ESPN 3D Fri., April 6 Second Round (encore) 8 p.m. 11 p.m. ESPN Sat., April 7 Third Round 4 p.m. 7 p.m. ESPN 3D Sun., April 8 Final Round 4 p.m. 7 p.m. ESPN 3D

GOLF CHANNEL HAS THE MASTERS COVERED

Sixty Hours of Live News Coverage from Augusta and Orlando

Palmer, Player, Floyd, Nicklaus, Watson, Crenshaw and Norman Among Daily Special Guests

Begay, Goydos, Browne and Flesch Guest Analysts Throughout the Week

Morning Drive Expands Through Weekend During Masters Week

ORLANDO, Fla. (April 2, 2012) – Golf Channel is primed to deliver 60 live hours of news coverage from this week’s Masters tournament – the most-anticipated major championship in golf – with live news reports, inside analysis, player interviews, special guest appearances and compelling features throughout the week.

Sixty Hours of Coverage: Headlining the 60 hours of news coverage will be the network’s franchise news program – Live From the Masters – providing more than 42 hours of live wrap-around news coverage throughout the week from Augusta, Ga., and Golf Channel’s Orlando studios, beginning Monday and concluding Sunday following tournament coverage. Morning Drive, the network’s live weekday morning show, will expand to seven days, with daily guests from Augusta. The Grey Goose 19th Hole will broadcast live from Golf Channel’s Orlando studios on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, and on Monday at 7 p.m. ET, Michael Breed will host a special Golf Fix from Augusta Country Club.

Live From the Masters Broadcast Team and Special Guests: PGA TOUR professionals Notah Begay, Paul Goydos and Steve Flesch and Champions Tour professional Olin Browne are scheduled to join Golf Channel this week as contributing analysts on Live From. Begay will contribute from Augusta, with Goydos, Flesch and Brown in Orlando. Legends of the game also are scheduled to make special guest appearances on the Golf Channel set throughout the week, including Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, Ray Floyd and Greg Norman.

Golf Channel’s Live From the Masters broadcast team will include Rich Lerner, Steve Sands, Todd Lewis, Whit Watson, Nick Faldo, Frank Nobilo, Brandel Chamblee, David Feherty, Charlie Rymer, Billy Andrade, Ken Schofield, John Feinstein, Alex Miceli, Tim Rosaforte, Jason Sobel, Rex Hoggard and Jay Coffin reporting from Augusta, Ga. Kelly Tilghman, Mike Ritz, Tripp Isenhour and Randall Mell will report and contribute from the network’s Orlando studios.

News Conferences: Live From the Masters news coverage will feature pre-tournament news conferences Tuesday and Wednesday from Augusta National, including top-ranked players Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and defending champion Charl Schwartzel. Tuesday’s news conference coverage airs from 1-4 p.m. ET, and Wednesday’s coverage airs from 12-1 p.m. ET.

Live From the Masters News Coverage: Beginning Monday, Live From the Masters will provide more than 42 hours of comprehensive wrap-around news coverage of the Masters, including player interviews, analysis, up-to-the-minute leaderboard updates and daily features from Golf Channel’s team of anchors, reporters and contributors. Live From the Masters will air Monday from 6-7 p.m. ET; Tuesday and Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. ET; Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET; Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. ET, and Sunday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. ET.

Live From the Masters Scheduled Features:

· Jimmy Roberts Essay on Furman Bisher and Jim Huber – Jimmy Roberts will pay tribute to legendary sports writer Furman Bisher and longtime sports broadcaster Jim Huber in an essay that will air during Monday’s primetime Live From the Masters.

· Defending Champion Charl Schwartzel Recalls Masters Victory – Tim Rosaforte visits with Charl Schwartzel to recount his 2011 Masters victory.

· Fred Couples on 20th Anniversary of Masters Victory – Fred Couples will sit down with Rosaforte to discuss his Masters victory in 1992 and what it meant to him.

· Mickelson on the Masters – Steve Sands will sit down with three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson to discuss his success at Augusta National and why the tournament has a special place in his heart.

· Rory McIlroy Discusses Masters Heartbreak – Sands visits with Rory McIlroy to discuss his 2011 Masters heartbreak and what he gained from that experience that helped him elevate to World No. 1.

· Larry Mize on the 25th Anniversary of his Memorable Masters victory – In one of the more memorable playoffs in Masters history, Larry Mize defeated Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman when Mize chipped in from well off the green to claim his lone Green Jacket. The shot is widely known as one of the most memorable shots in tournament history. Rich Lerner will visit with Augusta native Mize, who will take a look back at his remarkable victory.

· World’s Top-Ranked Amateur Patrick Cantlay Talks About his First Masters – UCLA golfer and the world’s top-ranked amateur Patrick Cantlay will visit with Steve Burkowski to discuss his successful 2011 season, resisting the pressures on turning professional and preparing for his first Masters.

Morning Drive Expands to Seven Days: Kicking off Golf Channel’s Masters coverage will be Morning Drive, hosted by Gary Williams and Erik Kuselias. Golf Channel’s popular weekday morning show will expand to seven days during Masters Week and will include special expanded bonus coverage throughout the week, featuring daily guests from Augusta. (Complete airtimes appear at the end of the release)

Wall-to-Wall Coverage on GolfChannel.com: GolfChannel.com will feature expanded editorial content and interactive capabilities with fans timed to the Masters this week, including:

Live Blogs & Chats

Jason Sobel and John Hawkins will host live chats Thursday-Sunday to keep fans up to date as the action unfolds.

Editorial Coverage

Jason Sobel, Rex Hoggard, Randall Mell, Jay Coffin and John Hawkins and Ryan Ballengee will contribute daily to the Golf Talk Central blog, along with daily columns, news articles, features and breaking news.

Exclusive Online Video Content

Morning and evening updates from Golf Channel’s Live From the Masters team will be available each day.

Live From the Masters Programming (all times ET)

Monday, April 2

Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.

Live From the Masters 6-7 p.m.

The Golf Fix 7-8 p.m.

Tuesday, April 3

Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.

Live From the Masters 1-4 p.m. (news conferences)

Live From the Masters 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, April 4

Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.

Live From the Masters 12-1 p.m. (Billy Payne news conference)

Live From the Masters 6-8 p.m.

Grey Goose 19th Hole 8-9 p.m.

Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6

Morning Drive 6-8 a.m.

Live From the Masters 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Live From the Masters 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 7

Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.

Live From the Masters 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Live From the Masters 7-9 p.m.

Sunday, April 8

Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.

Live From the Masters 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Live From the Masters 7-9 p.m.