Golf Analyst Kevin Kisner Criticizes CBS Masters Broadcast for Significant Delays in Sunday Coverage at Augusta National

Former PGA Tour professional and current golf analyst Kevin Kisner publicly criticized the television broadcast of the final round of the 2025 Masters Tournament, alleging that the network coverage showed shots that had occurred as much as ten minutes earlier throughout Sunday’s action at Augusta National Golf Club. Kisner’s remarks, made during an appearance on a popular golf podcast, have reignited a long-running debate about how major championship golf is presented to television audiences.

Kisner’s critique struck a nerve because it articulated a frustration that many golf fans have voiced for years — the disconnect between what viewers see on their screens and what is actually happening on the course in real time. In the modern era, fans tracking tournaments on their phones through the Masters’ own live scoring app or third-party platforms can see shot results and leaderboard changes almost instantaneously. When the television broadcast lags by several minutes, viewers following along digitally already know the outcome of the shots being shown, effectively turning what should be a live sporting event into a replay. Kisner, who competed on the PGA Tour for over a decade and finished in the top 10 at the Masters, brings a unique credibility to this conversation. His insider perspective as both a former competitor at Augusta and a current media figure lends particular weight to his assessment of how the broadcast fell short.

The issue of broadcast delay at the Masters is not entirely a network production choice — it is inextricably linked to Augusta National’s famously tight grip on how the tournament is presented. Unlike virtually every other major sporting event in the United States, the Masters operates under a unique model where the host venue, not the tour or the broadcaster, dictates the terms of coverage. Augusta National limits the number of on-course cameras, restricts advertising to just four minutes per hour (compared to roughly 18-20 minutes for a typical NFL broadcast), and has historically prohibited certain types of coverage, including showing specific holes or using certain camera angles. This level of control means producers have fewer cameras capturing live action across the 18-hole course, which can force the broadcast to rely on recorded footage to fill gaps. The result is a product that, while revered for its aesthetic quality and lack of commercial clutter, can feel out of step with audience expectations for real-time sports coverage. It is worth noting that the Masters did not simulcast its full coverage on streaming platforms during the final round the way some other major events have, further concentrating the viewing experience on the traditional broadcast window.

The broader implications of Kisner’s comments extend beyond a single broadcast. As professional golf navigates a fractured landscape — with the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and various global tours competing for attention — the presentation of the sport’s marquee events carries enormous stakes. The Masters routinely draws some of golf’s highest television ratings, with the 2024 final round attracting an estimated 12.8 million viewers. If the product feels dated or disconnected from the real-time experience available on digital platforms, networks and tournament organizers risk alienating younger audiences who are already accustomed to second-screen engagement. Some industry observers have noted that other sports have adapted more aggressively, with the NFL and NBA offering extensive real-time streaming options, alternative camera angles, and interactive features. Whether Augusta National will feel pressure to modernize its broadcast approach remains an open question, but Kisner’s public remarks from a respected voice in the golf media ecosystem ensure the conversation will continue heading into future major championships.