Golf Fans Criticize CBS for Missed Shots During Masters Coverage

Broadcast failed to show key moments in Rory McIlroy's second consecutive Masters win.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:37am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric planes in vibrant greens, blues, and whites, conceptually representing the action and energy of a major golf tournament.A cubist interpretation of the drama and excitement of the Masters tournament, with the iconic Augusta National landscape deconstructed into an abstract geometric composition.Augusta Today

Golf fans were highly critical of CBS Sports' television coverage of the 2026 Masters tournament, particularly the network's failure to show several crucial shots by winner Rory McIlroy and runner-up Cameron Young during the final round. The broadcast repeatedly missed key moments, including McIlroy's approach shots on the 18th hole and the final putt that clinched his second straight green jacket.

Why it matters

The Masters is one of the most prestigious events in golf, and fans expect a high level of production quality from the CBS broadcast. The network's struggles to capture the action, especially during the climactic final holes, left many viewers frustrated and feeling they missed out on witnessing history as McIlroy became only the fourth golfer to win consecutive Masters titles.

The details

Issues with the CBS coverage began early in the week during the Par-3 Contest, when a fake photo of celebrities jumping into one of the ponds went viral and angered fans. Throughout the weekend, the broadcast was criticized for failing to show shots from many of the golfers, only randomly cutting to them near the end of their rounds. But the biggest problems came on the 18th hole, where both McIlroy and Young had approach shots that the cameras missed, leaving viewers unsure of where their balls ended up. McIlroy's final putt to win the tournament was also blocked from view by his own legs.

  • On April 8, 2026, a fake photo of celebrities jumping into a pond at Augusta National during the Par-3 Contest went viral and angered golf fans.
  • Throughout the weekend of April 11-12, 2026, the CBS broadcast was criticized for missing shots from many golfers and only randomly showing them near the end of their rounds.
  • On April 12, 2026, the CBS cameras failed to capture the locations of Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young's approach shots on the 18th hole, as well as McIlroy's final putt to win the tournament.

The players

Rory McIlroy

The Northern Irish professional golfer who won his second consecutive Masters title in 2026, becoming only the fourth player in history to achieve that feat.

Cameron Young

The American professional golfer who finished as the runner-up to Rory McIlroy at the 2026 Masters.

Jason Kelce

The NFL player who was added to ESPN's coverage of the Par-3 Contest at the 2026 Masters.

Bert Kreischer

The comedian who was falsely depicted in a viral photo as jumping into a pond at Augusta National during the Par-3 Contest.

Pat McAfee

The media personality who was also falsely depicted in the viral photo from the Par-3 Contest.

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What they’re saying

“CBS not being able to show the location of the final two approach shots of the masters is the cherry on top of an all time horrible broadcast”

— Jack

“Tough, tough day for the normally-great CBS broadcast. Worst Masters coverage in recent memory…soooo much Andrew Catalon, Nantz felt mia, IBF sorely missed, impactful shots of notable players nowhere to be found, total fail on the 72nd hole. Underwhelming, run-of-the mill feel”

— Joe Nicely

“The biggest 10 minutes of the year in our sport and we've got no idea where the golf balls are”

— Dan Rapaport

“Rory wins again...I think. CBS missed the last 4 shots. I guess that's what happens when you have one camera covering the course and the rest pointing at teenagers watching the broadcast in Ireland.”

— Cousin Sal

“The @CBS coverage of The Masters might be the worst I've seen. Is the camera crew in training?”

— hoop

What’s next

CBS will likely review its production and camera coverage plans for future major golf tournaments to ensure it does not repeat the issues that plagued its 2026 Masters broadcast.

The takeaway

The poor television coverage of the climactic final holes of the 2026 Masters, particularly the failure to show key shots by winner Rory McIlroy, left many golf fans frustrated and feeling they missed out on witnessing a historic achievement. This underscores the importance of high-quality broadcast production for major sporting events and the need for networks to learn from their mistakes.