USA Network Expands Live Coverage of Masters(R) on Friday Coast-To-Coast Special Cove

[Gregg Lengling]

Friday, April 11 at 2 PM ET/11 AM PT

NEW YORK, April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Special expanded live exclusive coverage of the opening rounds of the 2003 Masters(R) begins Friday, April 11, 2 PM to conclusion Live ET/11 AM Live PT on USA Network. USA will repeat its coverage at 8-10:30 PM ET/8 PM PT. USA Network's HDTV coverage also will begin at 2 PM to conclusion Live ET/11 AM Live PT.

Inclement weather in Augusta has forced USA to cancel live coverage of the opening round of the Masters(R) on Thursday, April 10. USA will rebroadcast coverage of the 1997 Masters(R) today.

USA's coverage of the 1997 Masters(R) included the beginning of Tiger Woods' major championship rise in which he captured his first green jacket in his professional debut at the Masters(R). Woods has gone on to capture eight major championships (three Masters(R), two U.S. Opens, one British Open and two PGA Championships) and is vying for his third consecutive Masters(R) title.

The 2003 Masters(R) includes 102 invitations extended with 62 U.S.-born players and 40 international invitees, including five amateurs, comprised the Masters(R) invitation list. Besides Tiger Woods, the field includes six-time champion Nicklaus, four-time titleist Arnold Palmer, three-time champion Faldo (1996, 1990, 1989), two-time champion Jose Maria Olazabal (1994, 1999), Fred Couples (1992) and Vijay Singh (2000). This year's field also includes Augusta native Charles Howell III, as well as formidable pros Davis Love III, David Duval, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia. In all, 16 first-time participants also will debut on the famed fairways in 2003.

Bill Macatee will host USA Network's live coverage from the Butler Cabin.

Joining Macatee on USA Network's Thursday and Friday coverage will be long-time USA announce partner Peter Kostis, Jim Nantz and Lanny Wadkins in the 18th Tower along with David Feherty, Peter Oosterhuis, Bobby Clampett, Verne Lundquist and Dick Enberg.

Gordon Beck is USA Network's Senior Vice President, Production & Sports/Executive Producer and Kevin Landy is Vice President, Sports Programming and Senior Producer golf.

USA Network is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. USA Network is available in 81% of all U.S. homes and is seen in nearly 87 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at //www.usanetwork.com.