Rory McIlroy makes Masters & Major HISTORY by talking LIVE to viewers as he plays Augusta
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy addressed live viewers from around the world as he made history by addressing the crowd as he hit his second stroke on the ninth hole of The Masters
He became the first player to speak to the studio while playing in the prestigious first major tournament of the golf calendar year.
After hitting his drive 352 yards on the No. 9 hole of the Augusta National Golf Club – nicknamed ‘Carolina Cherry’ – McIlroy landed a shot 110 yards into the green.
He hit his shot, landing the net on the slope of the two-tiered green and saw his ball trickle back to him.
After the shot, McIlroy spoke to commentators and revealed what he thinks went wrong for him.
Rory McIlroy became the first player to ever speak to a broadcast team mid-round during a major
After his second shot on Augusta’s ninth hole, McIlroy ran through what he felt on his shot
He then had a putt for a birdie, which he missed just short, leading to a tap-in for par
“Yeah, I just took it easy,” McIlroy told the broadcast team. “I’m just thinking in the back of my mind — obviously you don’t want to go on with this pin for long.”
“So, yeah, I just went off it — probably threw it five or six feet shorter than I wanted.” So… at least I got that putt up the hill, hopefully I can get a good look at it.
“If I don’t, go around the gap, you know, start the back nine again.”
The commentator then said that one of the best parts about Augusta National is how well golfers know the course – noting that Rory may already know what the line is on his next putt.
“Yeah, I would… I can kind of see the ball… yeah, it’s actually… from where he is, it’s actually a pretty straight putt, he might even go left or right a little bit because he comes out of the bunker. ‘
The Irishman was right that the ball would move – when he lined up to the left of the cup and watched it roll side to side.
From 11 yards out, he hit the ball just under, falling a yard short before tapping it in with an easy par.
Golf fans around the world praised CBS for its coverage and convincing players to do so
CBS has previously interviewed players while they’re in the thick of the action, as the network seems to put golf fans in the mind of their favorite players. Later in the round, CBS spoke to Max Homa – the fifth best golfer in the world according to the Official World Golf Ranking.
“I think they’ve been great,” McIlroy said at the WM Phoenix Open in early February. ‘…I thought they were very good. It’s very unobtrusive; you just put an AirPod in your ear and just chat with the guys in the studio.
“It would take some convincing, but I would certainly be open to it. But given the past few weeks and how well I think it’s been received, I’d definitely be open to it.”
Fans seemed pleased with CBS’ decision – as they praised the tournament and the network for making this happen.
“I’ve always loved Rory McIlroy. But his agreeing to do an ongoing live interview on TV while he played a hole at The Masters makes me like him even more. Great to get a player’s commentary on what’s happening as it’s happening on the course,” wrote Montreal Gazette writer Stu Cowan.
“This conversation with Rory McIlroy as he plays the ninth is so fascinating to hear him share what he’s trying to do and then explain what actually happened, after the shot, unprecedented access,” wrote Nebraska sports reporter Joe Nugent .
“Rory McIlroy talking to Jim Nantz as he walked the fairway and talking about his shot choice was fantastic. Shocked that he would even do that,” TSN producer Michael Gallo wrote.
“Extraordinary access to Rory McIlroy who wore an earpiece and microphone during the 9th hole, providing tremendous real-time insight into the hole and its approach. Love love love this and hope to see more of it in more sports. If #TheMasters can do it, anyone can do it,” posted user Alistair Hogg.
McIlroy tries to win The Masters for the first time in his illustrious golf career
McIlroy is aiming for his first win at Augusta National Golf Club – the only major tournament he has yet to win.
The Irishman won the 2011 US Open at Congressional Golf Club in Maryland, the 2014 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, and the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championships at South Carolina’s Kiawah Island and Kentucky’s Valhalla.
If McIlroy can win this edition of The Masters, he would complete a career grand slam. His best result in Augusta was second place at the 2022 edition of the tournament.
At the time of publication, McIlroy was tied for 44th and sat +1 through the 13th hole.