ESPN Golf

BRISTOL, Conn. -- All four rounds of the Women's British Open will air live in the United States for the first time beginning in 2010.

ESPN and tournament organizer Royal & Ancient Golf agreed to an eight-year contract announced Wednesday. The deal includes 12 live hours of tournament play over the four days of the tournament, digital coverage and expanded rights for ESPN International.

A same-day encore will air Sunday on ABC, the broadcast partner of ESPN.

"With this new deal, ESPN will be able to showcase the Women's British Open like never before, with live coverage of all four rounds," said Leah LaPlaca, ESPN's vice president for programming and acquisitions.

Coverage of the Women's British Open had been split between TNT and ABC.

"The LPGA is extremely pleased with this new television agreement for the Ricoh Women's British Open," said Carolyn Bivens, the commissioner of the LPGA, which sanctions the championship. "This broadcast arrangement for the only women's major held outside the United States simply reinforces the remarkable international growth of women's golf."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.