The U.S. Open on television: Ready for drones, rail cams and robotics?

The U.S. Open is the centerpiece of Fox Sports' entry into golf coverage, the reason why the network reportedly is paying $100 million a year to televise USGA events. It begins Thursday and includes prime-time coverage.

Joe Buck will anchor the telecasts, with Greg Norman serving as the lead analyst.

Among technologies it will introduce (see video below) are drone flyovers, drop-down remote robotics cameras around the course, a small remote-controlled car with an HD camera attached to it and "set loose on the grounds at Chambers Bay," rail cams and augmented reality graphics.