Sky put Chelsea v Arsenal in golf's prime time

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Sky will spend a lot of money trailing the forthcoming Ryder Cup. It will spend a lot of money broadcasting the Ryder Cup. Then just as Rory McIlroy is standing over a tricky four-foot putt to beat Phil Mickelson on the final afternoon, the satellite broadcaster will begin its coverage of the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal.

It appears to be an extraordinary piece of scheduling to stick on the London derby at 4pm on the Sunday of one of sport's biggest events.

We live in a multi-platform digital age, but Sky's decision ignores all those sports fans who do not have a dish but watch the big events at their local pubs. It will be up to the local publican to sort out whether to put on the footie or the golf and he may well have a riot on his hands.

The European Tour is not overly happy about the situation, but its public response is a diplomatic one. Richard Hills, the Tour's Ryder Cup director and a big Chelsea fan, said: "We've spoken with Sky. We're comfortable with their decision. It's a multi-platform process and there is something for everybody."

Sandy Jones, the head of the PGA, said: "I could be cynical and say maybe Chelsea and Arsenal are more concerned, but I don't think our audience will be affected. Sky do a good job for all of us."

It certainly provides sports' governing bodies with a great deal of money, but what about the great undished? The simple solution would have been to show the London derby on Monday night.

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