BBC's live weekend coverage of The Masters is AXED after new Sky deal

Sky has acquired exclusive live coverage rights of The Masters in the UK and Ireland as of 2020, meaning the BBC will lose its rights to show live televised coverage of the tournament for the first time since 1955.

BBC lost its rights to cover all four days of golf's first major of the season back in 2011, and had since shown just highlights of the tournament with a live broadcast on both Saturday and Sunday. 

But as of 2020, Sky Sports has been given exclusive rights to show live coverage of The Masters across all four days.

Golf's first major of the year will take place at Augusta National from April 9 to 12, 2020. 

The BBC, however, will still be showing highlights of each day's play. 

Next year's tournament will have to go some way to rival what unfolded at this year's Masters with Tiger Woods landing his 15th career major title, coming 11 years after his last major triumph at the 2008 US Open. 

"The Masters has provided some spectacular moments on Sky Sports - not least Tiger Woods' unforgettable comeback this year - and we look forward to broadcasting many more at one of the most iconic global sporting events," said Sky Sports' managing director Rob Webster. 

"We are proud of our 10-year association with Augusta National, and our golf team does a great job sharing the magic of the Masters with our viewers."

Sky Sports has confirmed it will not only show live coverage of The Masters on all four days, but there will also be live coverage of the annual Par 3 Contest on the Wednesday, analysis from several of the game's biggest stars, innovative technology in the Sky Sports studio, daily practice range coverage, featured groups, Amen Corner groups and a separate feed of holes 15 and 16. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about Sky Sports Golf's coverage of the 2020 Masters.