BBC presenter Mark Chapman has departed the World Cup in the United States to front the corporation's coverage of The Open golf championship, confirming he will not be part of the broadcast team for Sunday's final.
Chapman's Return to the UK
The 52-year-old Match of the Day host had been rotating presenting duties this summer alongside Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Alex Scott. He was present on location in Atlanta on Wednesday for England's 2-1 semi-final loss to Argentina, accompanied by pundits Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Micah Richards.
However, Chapman revealed on his Sports Agents podcast with fellow BBC host Logan that he will be at The Open that weekend. “No, I'm not. I'll be at the golf,” he said when asked if he would cover the final. He added: “I'm doing The Open golf that weekend, and then I will drive back from The Open golf listening to Kelly and the build-up on the radio and then I'll catch some of you on the telly.”
Coverage Details
The Open is broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK, but BBC 5 Live has retained the radio rights. The BBC confirmed that Chapman will front its radio coverage at Royal Birkdale. The World Cup final will be shown on both BBC and ITV, with Logan presenting for the BBC and Mark Pougatch fronting ITV's coverage.
Chapman's final contribution to the World Cup coverage included a light-hearted exchange with Richards about former BBC presenter Gary Lineker. During a broadcast displaying Jude Bellingham's contributions, Lineker's name appeared on a graphic. Richards joked: “One thing I don't like on that list, another graphic that's got Gary Lineker on there. He's just text me now, he's dropping down the table, thank god for that!” Chapman quipped: “Gary, Gary who?” before adding: “Joke, joke, joke, before everyone piles on. Goodness me.”
