Golf Fans Were Livid About Masters Coverage at Start of Third Round

Show us the leaders!

The Masters has long been one of the best sporting events of the year but also one of the most frustrating to watch because, well, it’s not always easy to see live action as it’s going on.

That happened again Saturday when the third round began. The leaders—Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm and Sam Bennett—were the last group to go out on the course shortly after 1 p.m ET. 

Weather delays forced changes to the typical broadcasting plan, which would have a final group teeing off shortly after the CBS broadcast begins at 2:30 p.m. ET. Masters officials declined to comment to SI on decisions that led to a blackout of the final group during its opening holes, a blackout that initially included Masters.com and ESPN+. 

Fans were forced to wait and they were not happy about it. 

I'd like to speak to the person who decided that Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm and Sam Bennett shouldn't be a featured group on Masters dot com.

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) April 8, 2023

If anyone at Augusta is reading this, I have a great idea for a group that could be part of your "featured groups" coverage today

— Shane Ryan (@ShaneRyanHere) April 8, 2023

So, Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm have just teed off as leaders in the 3rd round of the Masters and there’s no live TV coverage. Get with the times, ffs.

— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) April 8, 2023

I would just like to echo the confusion of having 7 Masters feeds and none of them are with the leaders.

— Bob Sturm (@SportsSturm) April 8, 2023

It is Saturday at the 2023 Masters.

Leaders teed off just after 1PM ET, and the every player is now on the course.

I will never understand why network TV coverage does not begin until 3PM ET.

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) April 8, 2023

Golf coverage is so dumb. Why can’t we watch the current leaders at the freaking Masters start their 3rd round?

— Blanton Hamilton (@BlantonHamilto3) April 8, 2023

Not being able to watch the leaders of the Masters while they’re in action is quite the plot twist here.

— BeatinTheBookie.com®️ (@BeatinTheBookie) April 8, 2023

How is it possible that I have YouTube TV, ESPN+, and the #Masters app, and I can't watch the leaders right now?

— Brian (@Brian___H) April 8, 2023

Even with the early tee times due to weather, CBS coverage of The Masters (which TSN/CTV pick up) isn’t starting until 3et. They chose not to put the leaders in a featured group. So at this point, we won’t be able to show you them until holes 4-5-6 on our bonus coverage.

— James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) April 8, 2023

#Masters coverage right now is a crime. How do you not have the leaders on tv

— Pat Sullivan (@PSully39) April 8, 2023

It’s pretty stunning we’re Saturday of The Masters, and we can’t watch the leaders.

— TJ Magpiong (@TomatoTEEJ) April 8, 2023

So we can’t see the leaders tee off on Saturday of The Masters?? What a joke golf TV coverage is. #themasters

— Andrew Sarre (@A_sarre97) April 8, 2023

So we can't watch the leaders until 3pm? The only coverage of their front nine will be on holes 4-5-6 on a stream? Because we need Jordan Spieth in a featured group eight shots off the lead?

Masters television/streaming coverage never fails.

— Jeff Neiburg (@Jeff_Neiburg) April 8, 2023