Apple is among companies in talks to acquire US rights to golf’s The Open Championship, according to a report from the Guardian. Netflix and Amazon are also expected to be interested. The Open, first played in Scotland in 1860, is the oldest of golf’s four major tournaments and is run by the R&A. NBC inked a 12-year deal for The Open in 2017, with rights also shared by Versant, which runs the Golf Channel.\n\nThe R&A says it expects to hold discussions with both NBC and Versant, as well as other interested parties. Today’s report says Apple has held “preliminary discussions with the R&A about bidding for The Open.” The report cites a source with knowledge of Apple’s plans and says Apple remains committed to investing in sports rights.\n\nAn R&A spokesperson stated: “We have an excellent partnership with NBC and Versant… As we look ahead to the next US media cycle, we expect to enter discussions with our incumbent partners NBC and Versant in due course.

We will also continue to monitor the evolving broadcast landscape and the wider interest in our rights.” Last year, Apple announced a major partnership to become the exclusive Formula 1 broadcast partner in the US and also streams Friday Night Baseball and MLS matches.