BBC agrees new five-year deal to cover Women's Open

Highlights - Catriona Matthew wins 2009 Women's Open

The BBC has agreed a new contract for coverage of the Ricoh Women's Open up to and including the 2016 Championship.

The five-year deal is in conjunction with the Ladies' Golf Union and the International Management Group.

Barbara Slater, BBC Director of Sport, said: "We are delighted to have extended our partnership with the Women's British Open.

"We feel it goes hand in hand with our recently announced new five-year deal with The R&A to broadcast The Open."

Slater added: "The BBC is proud of its history of top class golf coverage and looks forward to continuing to bring the sport to audiences nationwide through to 2016."

Guy Kinnings, IMG's director of golf, stated: "The BBC's long-term commitment to the Ricoh Women's British Open is fantastic for golf in the UK, and ensures that the only two majors played outside the US are both available on terrestrial television.

"The BBC is a wonderful platform for both the players and Championship and we very much look forward to strengthening this relationship in the future."

Shona Malcolm of the Ladies' Golf Union said: "We are very pleased that the BBC is demonstrating this commitment to women's golf and look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship.

"The LGU is committed to giving as many people as possible the opportunity to watch the world's best women golfers play in our flagship event, and the BBC is an ideal partner in fulfilling this ambition."

The 35th Championship, being played at The Royal Birkdale Golf Club (29 July-1 August), will be broadcast for the first time in High Definition.

Hazel Irvine presents the BBC coverage on all four days, with commentary from Peter Alliss, Andrew Cotter and Maureen Madill, and the on-course team of Ken Brown, Philip Parkin and Kirsty Taylor.