Strike disrupts Golf Channel coverage of Sony Open

Unionized Golf Channel camera and audio technicians walked out on strike, leaving the network and the US PGA Tour scrambling Sunday to provide coverage of the Sony Open in Hawaii fourth round. "We apologize for the interruptions to today's PGA Tour telecasts due to a labor dispute between the Golf Channel and its live tournament technicians union," the PGA Tour said in a statement on its website, adding that it was working closely with the Golf Channel to provide as much television coverage as possible of the Sony Open as well as the day's Web.com Tour and Champions Tour events. The walkout meant that the array of on-course cameras that have become a staple of tournament coverage would not be available. The tour also reminded fans that they could follow the action live on PGATour.com, the PGA Tour app and on social media platforms and PGA Tour Radio. The event at Waialae in Honolulu is the tour's first full-field event of 2018. Tom Hoge took a one-stroke lead over Patton Kizzire and Brian Harman into Sunday's final round. Golf Channel also released a statement on matter. "Golf Channel has been working on negotiating an agreement for nine months with a union that represents our live tournament technicians. Those efforts have not yet yielded a resolution, and we look forward to reaching a mutually agreeable contract. "However, some technicians have chosen to walk off the job today. We have contingency plans in place, and will continue to deliver coverage. Thank you to our viewers for the patience."