Kevin Kisner apologized for his critical comments about CBS's Masters coverage, stating his remarks were 'too critical.' He acknowledged the challenges of being in the media after initially questioning CBS's broadcast timing.
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Kevin Kisner is learning, in real time, that life on the other side of the microphone comes with its own hazards.
Not long after the NBC analyst took a public swipe at CBS’s coverage of Augusta National, Kisner found himself walking it back. What started as pointed criticism quickly turned into a reminder of just how unforgiving golf media can be, especially for those new to the job.
On the Fore Play podcast earlier this week, Kisner questioned CBS Sports’ handling of the Masters broadcast, saying the network was “way behind the action” and citing several shots that, in his estimation, aired seven to 10 minutes late.
“I’m not trying to just kill them,” Kisner said at the time. “But being in TV for 30 times and seeing what our production team does, it was just fascinating to me.”
Kevin Kisner lines up his putt on the 9th hole during the first round of the 2025 John Deere Classic.
By Thursday, though, Kisner’s tone had changed.
Appearing again on Fore Play, he issued a full-throated apology, acknowledging he’d crossed a line in calling out his peers.
“It is what it is, man, and I just have to apologize to the golf team at CBS,” Kisner said. “I crossed the line probably too much by talking about that whole content. And 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 — we’re just trying to do our best. I went too far in being critical of them.”
Kisner went on to emphasize CBS’s longstanding role in growing the game, praising the network as a partner of the PGA Tour and acknowledging the enormous complexity of putting together a live broadcast on golf’s grandest stage.
“They continue to showcase, in a great way, the game we all love,” he said. “Everyone’s trying to do their best, and I was too critical.”
If nothing else, the moment underscored the stakes.
Kevin Kisner criticized CBS for being 'way behind the action' during the Masters broadcast, claiming some shots aired seven to ten minutes late.
Kisner apologized because he felt his initial remarks were 'too critical' and realized the challenges of being in the media.
The public reaction highlighted the unforgiving nature of golf media, prompting Kisner to retract his comments shortly after making them.
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The Masters delivered another massive audience. CBS Sports announced Tuesday that Sunday’s final round averaged nearly 14 million viewers — an eight-percent increase from last year and the largest Masters finale audience in 11 years. At its peak, more than 20 million viewers tuned in to watch Rory McIlroy capture his second consecutive green jacket.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Kevin Kisner apologizes for CBS Masters criticism