In defence of CBS, which takes on a load of social-media crap even when the broadcast is good on any given week, there was some serious drama in the Cameron Smith–Scottie Scheffler pairing while McIlroy was playing the 18th hole. Smith had just dunked one in Rae’s Creek at the 12th, eventually making a tournament-killing triple-bogey while Scheffler saved par to all but seal the deal. The 12th-hole drama, plus its aftermath (Smith blocked his tee shot at the 13th soon after) will always get its deserved focus from CBS on Sunday at the Masters.
That’s why, unfortunately, McIlroy’s shot was not shown live, though that still could have been disguised had they simply cut to it afterward and someone, possibly Jim Nantz, could have rolled out the tried and true “this, just a moment ago”. Instead, Nick Faldo, three-time Masters winner and longtime analyst for CBS, all but gave the shot away, saying something along the lines of “something crazy has just happened” at the 18th. Given the fact that McIlroy was the only player making Scheffler sweat, it was quite clear for the viewers that “something crazy” had to be a McIlroy hole-out at the 18th. It was:
What a way to finish. McIlroy holes out on No. 18 to put pressure on the leader. #themasters pic.twitter.com/L5fWWbR9cj
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2022
Even knowing what was coming, it was still an electric moment. As you might imagine, though, social media was less than thrilled with Sir Nick:
If CBS showed golf shots live we wouldn’t have to suffer through Nick Faldo’s “wait til you see this I don’t wanna give it away I’ve got goosebumps just wait” for Rory’s insane shot
#themasters
— Emily (@ejweeks) April 10, 2022
Can’t get over the fact that Nick Faldo teased the McIlroy hole out.
Not surprised his tease was utter trash tho.
— Mark Harris (@itismarkharris) April 10, 2022
Worst moment: CBS Sports Nick Faldo, after seeing Rory McIlroy’s incredible birdie on the 18th, “Something amazing just happened. I don’t want to spoil it.” Nantz quips, “I know what it is.” CBS stays with Smith’s putt and then show Rory on tape delay with no set up.
— Rudy Martzke (@FakeRudyMartzke) April 11, 2022
What a spectacular bungling of that moment from CBS.
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) April 10, 2022
!!!!
(How did CBS let Nick Faldo just totally ruin that moment) https://t.co/vCJFmMeSzc
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) April 10, 2022
Nick Faldo probably gives away the Wordle answer every morning too…
— Blake Eddins (@BlakeEddins) April 10, 2022
I’m not trying to be Debbie Downer here but that announcer totally ruined the McElroy chip in.
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) April 10, 2022
And lastly, can we talk about Faldo’s ridiculous unabashed spoiler of Rory and Morikawa’s bunker shots on 18? He couldn’t stop himself. He put his Squarz all over the drama. A round-wrecker for broadcasting.
— Matt Ginella (@MattGinella) April 11, 2022
Next you’ll tell me Faldo is going to Spoil Sopranos episodes, asshole
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) April 10, 2022
Let’s just say that Faldo has had much finer moments on the 18th green at Augusta National in his day.
The post Masters 2022: Nick Faldo got roasted on Twitter for giving away Rory McIlroy’s epic hole-out on 18 appeared first on New Zealand Golf Digest.