‘Masters Coverage Is Crime’: Fans Left ‘Angry and Disgusted’ as Golf’s Broadcasting Woes Resurface

Masters is officially underway. But not for everyone. Fans bemoan the lack of TV coverage for the most-anticipated event of the calendar year. The Masters started after a 150-minute weather delay. But the broadcasting on the NBC Golf Channel won’t start until four and a half hours later. 

The situation is the same on both sides of the Atlantic. The broadcast won’t start until 7.30 PM BST, although the first round starts at 1 PM in Great Britain. Apparently, this is because of a bizarre rule, per the Independent. The organizers provide only a limited window for live coverage. It’s one of Augusta National’s policies to maintain the uniqueness of the event. 

However, there are live streaming options for the fans sitting at home. But none provides ‘wire-to-wire’ coverage as fans demand. 

• Honorary Starters: 10:10–10:25 a.m. (Masters.com, Masters App)
• Round 1 ESPN Telecast: 3-7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
• Featured Groups: 12:55–7:30 p.m. (ESPN+, Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, CBS Sports App)
• Featured Holes (4, 5, and 6): 11:15 a.m.–7:30 p.m. (same as above)
• Featured Holes (Amen Corner, 11, 12, and 13): 12:45–7:30 p.m. (same as above)
• Featured Holes (15 and 16): 1:30–7:30 p.m. (same as above)

After the PGA Tour events’ woeful coverage throughout the year, fans finally expected to watch more golf. Instead, the Masters have also failed to live up to expectations. For example, reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm will tee off with Matt Fitzpatrick and Nick Dunlap at 1 PM EDT.

Read More: Rory McIlroy & Scottie Scheffler’s Cruel Masters ‘Snub’ Leaves Golf Fans Infuriated: ‘Disgrace to the Game’

Whereas, the current world no. 1, Scottie Scheffler, will hit the greens with Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele at 1:12 PM. These three not being the ‘featured group’ already riled many. So, it’s not hard to understand why fans are even more enraged that there is no TV coverage for the Masters. 

Fan demand answers for the ‘horrific’ Masters coverage

The first major of the season was supposed to provide some relief to the consistently dwindling ratings for the PGA Tour. The situation was no better at LIV Golf as well. And, for the first time since last year’s Open Championship, all the players are coming together. Some fans can’t believe that there will be no full-round coverage of the Masters in 2024. 

“Angry and disgusted that no TV Masters coverage until 3:00; sucks that Augusta National has this much control!” While another termed it “horrific,” “Masters coverage is absolutely horrific this year. Please, I just want to watch Bryson DeChambeau hit back-to-back birdies.”

The falling TV ratings have got everyone concerned, including Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley. “Certainly the fact that the best players in the world are not convening very often is not helpful. Whether or not there’s a direct causal effect, I don’t know. But I think that it would be a lot better if they were together more often.” Yet, the Masters didn’t make it any easier for golf fans. 

One disgruntled fan tweeted, “Masters coverage is crime. They wonder why golf is struggling. Their should be wall to wall coverage on every player all 4 days.” “Normalize wire to wire coverage in Majors you clowns!”, another fan minced no words.

The Masters was touted as the litmus test for golf’s waning popularity. The constant wrangling between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, and of course, the money-oriented narrative around golf, has ticked off a lot of fans. Augusta was supposed to provide a breath of fresh air, but that’s not been the case.

Read More: Masters 2024 Update: Chaos Expected as Nature’s Wrath Aims to Disrupt Round 1