Golf fans call out CBS broadcast for missing Rory McIlroy’s final shots, other errors during Masters coverage

Golf fans call out CBS broadcast for missing Rory McIlroy’s final shots, other errors during Masters coverage originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Rory McIlroy became the fourth golfer to ever win consecutive Masters tournaments.

After completing the career grand slam in 2025, McIlroy stormed back in 2026 and held on just enough to clinch his second green jacket in as many years. While the win wasn't as emotional as it was last year, it was still impressive to watch McIlroy achieve what only four people in history have done.

His success didn't come with any asterisks, but it may not be fully remembered in a positive light, to no fault of his own. The CBS broadcast has, in the past, been one of the best for any sporting event in the calendar year. For whatever reason, this was a really off year for the network. The broadcast continually missed shots, including almost all of McIlroy's final four shots of the tournament.

Both he and Cameron Young had approach shots on the 18th that the broadcast missed. It cut to a long shot, as it normally does, and when the camera operator saw the ball, they zoomed in on it. That never happened, and it became clear the operator had no clue where the ball went. McIlroy, for example, had gone from the woods on the right side of the fairway into sand on the front left of the green.

The broadcast didn't even get the shot of McIlroy's final put dropping into the cup because the golfer was blocking it.

Here is more on the CBS broadcast missing the final shots of McIlroy's 2026 Masters win.

MORE:How did Rory McIlroy win the 2026 Masters?

Golf fans unhappy with CBS's coverage of the 2026 Masters

Coverage of the 2026 Masters has been highly criticized on social media. It began with the Par-3 Contest on Wednesday. ESPN announced it was adding Jason Kelce to its coverage, and then comedian Kevin Hart showed up to caddy for Bryson DeChambeau. It is a light-hearted event, but a fake picture of Kelce, comedian Bert Kreischer and Pat McAfee (with the latter two not being there) jumping into one of the ponds went viral, and social media erupted in anger despite it not being real.

WHATS UP CUZZO

Pat McAfee and Bert Kreischer make a surprise appearance at Augusta National and join Jason Kelce for the first ever Masters pond jump!! pic.twitter.com/nBA0wybAZl

— Old Row Sports (@OldRowSports) April 8, 2026

The broadcast problems continued throughout the weekend. Producing a golf tournament has to be tough with the number of players and shots, but it felt like the broadcast would go hours without showing some of the golfers, only to randomly show a putt toward the end of their round. The biggest thing that got fans upset was how the broadcast handled the final hole. Rory McIlroy's tee shot went into the woods on the right, and the camera didn't capture exactly where it went. McIlroy's next shot came out of the woods, and the broadcast cut to a camera that had no clue where his ball went.

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 (@Dr_Hoosier) April 12, 2026

Cameron Thomas' second shot also wasn't tracked, and viewers had no clue where his ball went. McIlroy walked up to a ball in a sand trap that ended up being his.

The cherry on top of the tournament was that McIlroy had a foot putt to win the Masters. He was overcome with emotion, but the CBS broadcast still missed the actual putt, so viewers watching on television didn't see the ball go in the hole on the last shot of the tournament because McIlroy's legs were blocking the lone shot.

Masters really messed up that final shot. good angle pic.twitter.com/lMnmeetzNJ

— FirstDownMedia (@FirstDownMediaa) April 12, 2026

The mistakes toward the end of the tournament did not go unnoticed by social media.

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 (@JoeNicely) April 12, 2026

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

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) April 12, 2026

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 (@TheCousinSal) April 12, 2026

This is the worst broadcast of The Masters CBS has had in a long time.

— Craig (@DailyCraigIndy) April 12, 2026

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

— hoop (@hoop3_john) April 12, 2026

@CBSSportsNet@CBS absolute worst camera coverage ever in 50+ years of watching the masters. The CBS Sports should be ashamed of themselves.

— Joseph Ellis (@EllisJoe7thls) April 12, 2026

Getting texts about this - How was CBS Masters production so perfect all weekend then on the 18th they messed up like three things, including losing Rory’s ball on the crucial shot?

— Ryan Glasspiegel (@sportsrapport) April 12, 2026

This was the worst coverage of The Masters I have ever seen. Absolutely horrendous

— Steven Sorci (@Ssorci15) April 12, 2026

Wow...CBS coverage of the last hole of the Masters was well below standard...didn't see flight or landing spot of Rory's or Cam's shot.

— Jack Vgood (@jverigood1) April 12, 2026