AUGUSTA, Ga. — As Rory McIlroy clinched his first Masters title in a dramatic playoff on Sunday, CBS’ coverage of the tournament drew sharp criticism from fans who felt the network sidelined LIV Golf players and leaned heavily into McIlroy-centric narratives.
Social media platforms buzzed with complaints during the final rounds, with viewers accusing CBS of crafting a broadcast that felt more like a “McIlroy documentary” than a balanced showcase of the 89th Masters. The Northern Irishman, who completed the career Grand Slam with his victory over Justin Rose, was a focal point of the coverage, with analysts frequently revisiting his decade-long journey to Augusta glory.
“It was like a two-hour Rory highlight reel with Jim Nantz seemingly searching for the syrupiest one liner before choking back tears in Butler Cabin,” said Tom Gorman, publisher of Under Par Golf Media, echoing sentiments posted on social media.
“We barely heard about Patrick Reed’s charge until he was shown finishing in solo third. It’s a disservice to viewers and the field.”
Posts on Facebook and X highlighted similar frustrations, noting CBS’ tendency to linger on McIlroy’s emotional moments while giving short shrift to other contenders.
Fans also pointed to what they saw as a deliberate blackout of LIV Golf players, including major champions and top-ranked stars like Tyrrell Hatton, Bubba Watson, Jon Rahm, and Reed.
Despite DeChambeau’s strong third-round performance and Reed’s late push, their airtime was minimal compared to PGA Tour stars like McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
One X user claimed CBS “ignored LIV golfers almost entirely unless they were flaming out then they were thrilled to show them,” singling out Brooks Kopeka’s final-hole struggles on Friday when the five-time major winner finally got airtime.
CBS Sports, the longtime broadcast network of the Masters, has not publicly addressed the complaints. However, the network’s lead producer, Sellers Shy, emphasized a viewer-driven approach in a post-tournament interview with The Athletic.
“We wanted the fans at home to react like we would in the truck,” Shy said, defending the decision to track McIlroy closely during the playoff.
The focus on McIlroy paid dividends in viewership, with preliminary Nielsen data showing the final round averaged 10.2 million viewers, up from 9.59 million in 2024.
Yet for some, the numbers didn’t justify the narrative tilt.
“The Masters is about the tournament — the history, not one guy’s personal redemption arc,” one golf fan wrote on Facebook. “The entire weekend broadcast, and all adjacent media coverage, was about Rory McIlroy. One media guy [Paul McGinley of Golf Channel] even said something like, “You have to root for Rory McIlroy if you’re a golf fan.” Just embarrassing!”
The criticism reflects broader tensions in golf, where the rift between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf continues to be shaped by a media that is — by and large — financially reliant on the success of the PGA Tour.
CBS’ broadcast, praised for its cinematic quality and Nantz’s now iconic — albeit clearly scripted — call, “The long journey is over! McIlroy has his masterpiece,” still left a sour taste for fans craving a wider lens.
As Augusta National recedes from the spotlight, the debate over fair coverage lingers. For now, McIlroy’s green jacket moment remains the defining image of 2025 — but not without a chorus of viewers demanding more from the network that shapes their view of the Masters.
