CBS Anchor Defends Masters Coverage After Criticism

Network faces backlash over missed shots and delays during final round

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:48pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in vibrant shades of green, brown, and blue, capturing the dynamic action of a golf tournament in an abstract, cubist style.A cubist interpretation of the intense scrutiny and high expectations placed on television networks covering major golf tournaments like the Masters.Augusta Today

CBS Sports lead anchor Jim Nantz defended the network's coverage of the 2026 Masters tournament, citing the challenges of live television production. Nantz's comments came after NBC analyst Kevin Kisner criticized CBS for being 'way behind the action' and missing key shots during the final round, when Rory McIlroy emerged victorious over Scottie Scheffler.

Why it matters

The Masters is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments, drawing intense scrutiny of the television coverage. Any perceived missteps or technical issues can generate significant backlash from fans and media analysts who expect flawless production from the network holding the broadcast rights.

The details

Nantz acknowledged that mistakes happen in live television, but said he was 'really proud' of the CBS crew, who he described as 'the best in the business.' Kisner, who has experience in television, was more critical, saying CBS was '7 to 10 minutes behind the action' at times and relied too heavily on footage from NBC's coverage.

  • The 2026 Masters tournament took place last week at Augusta National Golf Club.

The players

Jim Nantz

The lead anchor for CBS Sports' coverage of the Masters tournament.

Kevin Kisner

An NBC golf analyst who criticized CBS's coverage of the 2026 Masters.

Rory McIlroy

The Northern Irish golfer who won the 2026 Masters tournament.

Scottie Scheffler

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

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What they’re saying

“I'm really proud of our crew. You're making so many split-second decisions.”

— Jim Nantz, CBS Sports Lead Anchor

“There were a couple of shots in the two days that were seven to 10 minutes behind.”

— Kevin Kisner, NBC Golf Analyst

What’s next

CBS will likely review its Masters production processes and make adjustments ahead of next year's tournament to address any technical issues or delays that occurred during the 2026 event.

The takeaway

The intense scrutiny of live sports television coverage, especially for marquee events like the Masters, underscores the high expectations placed on networks to deliver a flawless viewing experience for fans. While mistakes are inevitable, networks must continually strive to improve their production capabilities to meet these lofty standards.