Masters 2026: CBS' brutal Sunday and the most casual fan debate of all time

TL;DR

CBS faced heavy criticism for its coverage of Masters Sunday, likening it to a low-stakes football game. Key moments, including Rory McIlroy's bunker shot and missed shots of Cameron Young, were poorly handled, leading to frustration among golf fans.

Masters Sunday is golf's Super Bowl. Unfortunately, CBS treated it like a Thursday Night Football Game between the Jags and the Titans, particularly in the day's biggest moments.

There was, of course, the total debacle that occurred on the final hole, where McIlroy's second shot came to rest in a tricky lie in the greenside bunker, not that anyone knew that. It took CBS about a minute to locate it, something that simply cannot happen during a tournament of this magnitude. Then there was the complete glossing over of contender Sam Burns' double bogey on the second hole, as well as the Haotong Li catastrophe that took place on the 13th. These are the types of things golf fans watching from home yearn to see or to at least be given a highlight (or lowlight) of.

Then there was the issue of McIlroy's final tap in, which some fans labeled as one of the worst camera angles for a final putt ever:

We won't pretend to act like it's easy to broadcast a golf tournament, but CBS has been lauded in recent years for how good its coverage has been of the golf. On Sunday at the Masters, it was a D-, at best. How about the fact the network missed SIX shots of Cameron Young's final round? Cameron Young, who was tied for the lead and in the final group ...

Another complaint? Far too many cuts to McIlroy's childhood golf club, Holywood. Not a soul watching cares, CBS.

We got into much of the CBS discussion on this week's episode of The Loop podcast, as well as the "Rory had an unfair advantage" debate, which might be the biggest tell that you are the most casual golf fan ever if you are even engaging in it. We talk about that and much more below. Please, have a listen, and like and subscribe to The Loop wherever you get your podcasts:

Q&A

What were the major coverage issues CBS faced during the Masters 2026?

CBS struggled with significant coverage issues, including failing to locate Rory McIlroy's bunker shot and missing six shots of Cameron Young during the final round.

How did CBS's Masters Sunday coverage compare to previous years?

CBS's coverage was criticized as being subpar, receiving a D- grade, especially compared to its previously lauded broadcasts of golf tournaments.

What specific moments did CBS overlook during the Masters 2026?

CBS overlooked key moments such as Sam Burns' double bogey on the second hole and Haotong Li's struggles on the 13th, which frustrated viewers wanting to see these highlights.