Sergio Garcia defeated Justin Rose on the first playoff hole yesterday to win The Masters, and CBS was “all over the storylines as sudden death approached,” according to Richard Deitsch of SI.com. Color analyst Nick Faldo "set the stage nicely" in regulation as Garcia and Rose "ambled up to the 18th hole of Augusta National" shortly before 7:00pm ET. CBS "delivered on that hole, from great visuals of Rose hitting his drive, to multiple angles of Garcia missing a chance to win from five feet, to a slo-mo replay of Rose and Garcia embracing before heading to the clubhouse” prior to the playoff. CBS was "terrific on the final two holes, which is when they needed to be." Jim Nantz' “reverence for golf always comes off genuine. Director Steve Milton also delivered “A-plus stuff" as he "captured all the great moments around the 18th" (GOLF.com, 4/10). In Tampa, Tom Jones writes this year, CBS "backed off its usual schmaltzy love of Augusta National and called a golf tournament," and it was Dottie Pepper "who deserves much of the credit." She had a "featured role on CBS's coverage (smart move, CBS!) and stuck to the meat and potatoes." With Pepper, Faldo and Verne Lundquist, the net's coverage was "about golf" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 4/10).
THE FULL STORY: The Masters' online streaming coverage implemented both "Pro Tracer" and "TrackMan" technology that was not available on the CBS broadcast, and THE RINGER's Geoff Shackelford said, “It’s really imperative going forward. If for some reason they are prohibited from using certain things on the main broadcast that are being used on the supplemental coverage, that has to change. CBS, I get it, it’s a big-picture story they’re telling. What happened though this year -- they didn’t tell the full story. Usually nothing gets by them, and what really concerns me this year is some things got by them. Saturday, I’m watching Jordan Spieth on Amen Corner Live (on the 13th hole), and you hear the discussion where he just blurts out an unbelievable moment (to his caddie), ‘What would Arnie do, Mike?’ He blurts out this great line ... and CBS never shows the shot with the audio. I went into the digital people’s office here and said, ‘Hey, you did know about this conversation.’ And they were running around and they didn’t. They then tweeted it and it went nuts on social. This moment, had Spieth gone on to win the tournament, would have been the signature moment, and CBS did not show it. So then it didn’t make 'SportsCenter' or 'Live From' on Golf Channel" ("ShackHouse," THERINGER.com, 4/9).
TWITTER REAX: Writer Rick Reilly wrote CBS at the end of the playoff captured an "unforgettable shot" with Garcia "in the foreground + his fiance in the background, watching the putt. It doubled them both over." The Big Lead's Jason McIntyre: "Nice image via CBS Sports of Sergio Garcia & his fiancee, Angela Akins, both crouching down to celebrate." ESPN Radio 980 DC's Steve Czaban: "It's 2017 and CBS cannot deploy the necessary tech or resources to track tee-shots on the most pivotal hole at The Masters. Absurd." Sporting News' Michael McCarthy: "Enough with the 'patron' mentions please @CBS. I know it's in your #Masters contract -- but it's getting to be like a bad product placement." The Ringer's Shackelford sarcastically wrote, "CBS really on a roll. Justin Rose appears to wince after 15th hole tee shot, replay slow mo ends before we can see it." Golf blog No Laying Up's official account: "CBS opted to show us 5 minutes of the Augusta suits fixing the cup on #5 over showing two Masters champions teeing off on one."
REMEMBERING GREATNESS: GOLF DIGEST's Stephen Hennessey noted CBS yesterday "aired a special to Arnold Palmer before the final-round telecast." The interview "took place in Butler Cabin last year following the first-tee ceremony -- the last time Arnie would set foot at Augusta National." It is an "extremely emotional, well-done piece by Nantz and the entire CBS crew" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 4/9). GOLF.com's Marika Washchyshyn wrote under the header, "Arnie's Final Interview At The Masters Will Give You Chills" (GOLF.com, 4/9).
FILLING THE VOID: MORNINGREAD.com's Steve Elling noted the cast and crew of "Live From The Masters," which has become Golf Channel’s showcase live show for "flexing its editorial muscles and tactical chops, pulls it off with flash and panache." With something "close to a near-blackout policy regarding early Masters broadcasts," Golf Channel has "helped fill the void with color and comprehensive, contextual gold." The principle players on the set have "evolved over the years, but this week’s crew of David Duval, Brandel Chamblee and Colin Montgomerie in particular have been as entertaining as they’ve been illuminating." The glue is "forever-glib host" Mike Tirico, who "seamlessly deals like a Vegas card sharp" (MORNINGREAD.com, 4/9).
GOLDEN MOMENT: In Ft. Lauderdale, Steve Waters completed his latest review under the header, "Golf Channel's Nicklaus Documentary 'Jack' Is Must-See Viewing." Viewers over the course of the three-night documentary will "learn what made Nicklaus so successful" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/10). Last week, THE DAILY discussed the making of the documentary with Golf Films Coordinating Producer Israel DeHerrera.
TOUR GUIDE: The GLOBE & MAIL's Cathal Kelly notes among the people "leading small tour groups around the media centre" at The Masters was former Secretary of State and Augusta National member Condoleezza Rice (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/10).
