PGA Tour winner apologizes after ‘crossing the line’ with unusual CBS Masters criticism

NBC analyst Kevin Kisner has admitted he “crossed the line” with his foul-mouthed criticism of rival broadcaster CBS.

The PGA Tour winner joined many fans in panning the network’s coverage of Rory McIlroy‘s triumph at The Masters.

Getty

Viewers were often left wondering where shots had ended up and key moments were aired on a significant delay.

“They were literally showing s*** that I knew happened 10 minutes ago all day long,” Kisner said on Barstool’s Fore Play podcast Tuesday.

“What are we doing, man? You have no commercials. Play live shots.”

Kisner’s blast was poorly received given his prominent role at a rival broadcaster.

He appeared on the Fore Play podcast on Thursday to backtrack and claimed he was “far too critical.”

“It’s been an interesting few days, but it is what it is, and I just have to apologise to the golf team at CBS,” he said.

“I crossed the line, probably, too much, by talking about that whole content. I know from my short time in the business how wild production is.

“It is a very difficult thing to produce a live show and make it all work and everybody does their best.

“NBC screws up all the time, and we’re just trying to do our best.

“I went too far in being critical on them, and I just want all the people associated with it to know I apologise.”

Getty

Getty

What is Kevin Kisner most known for?

Kisner turned pro in 2006 and reached a highest ranking of 14 in 2016.

He boasts 10 tournament victories, including four on the PGA Tour, and finished in a tie for second at The Open Championship in 2018.

His best Masters finish is joint-21st and has not officially retired despite embarking on a TV career.

Kisner joined NBC in January 2024 and had been made lead golf analyst by December that year.

Masters broadcast issues

McIlroy became just the fourth player to defend the Green Jacket at Augusta, but viewers were left wondering if he had missed the decisive putt.

As McIlroy lined up for his tap-in bogey, fans couldn’t see if his ball actually went in the hole due to the angle used on the broadcast.

Getty

Incredibly, that was not the only issue on the final hole.

McIlroy held a two-stroke advantage over Scottie Scheffler on the 18th tee box but hit a wayward drive.

His second shot from the pine straw headed for the green but the TV broadcast failed to track the ball and switched to a wide shot of the hole with the landing spot not visible.

McIlroy ended up in a bunker and the announcers weren’t even sure if he was playing the right ball as Cameron Young‘s effort also got lost.

It was a poor way to frame the finale of a thrilling weekend, but Kisner shouldn’t be joining the critics.

Stay up to date with the latest from golf across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.