NBC said it would cover Phil Mickelson and his controversial comments about LIV Golf "fairly" during the broadcastGetty Images
The question of how to cover Phil Mickelson, whose decisions and words have "both shaped the sport and draped it in controversy" at the U.S. Open "hangs heavy" over NBC Golf lead producer Tommy Roy and his team, according to James Colgan of GOLF.com. They will be the first to answer it, and while there is "still much to learn about what precisely that answer will look like," there is "little doubt it will be received controversially." Roy said that Mickelson will "be covered fairly." Roy: "No matter what player we end up showing -- if they’re coming off a significant finish in an event the week before -- we’re going to mention it." He added, "In terms of getting into fracturing the game of golf and all that, we’re not doing that. This is U.S. Open week now, and we’re not talking about that stuff." NBC's play-by-play commentator for the event Dan Hicks said, "There’s one way to cover it: Journalistically. If a guy’s in contention, you cover him. You mention that he’s part of the LIV Tour. You cover that because that’s been obviously a gigantic talking point, and then you see where the championship takes you from there" (GOLF.com, 6/14).
NOT PULLING PUNCHES: GOLFWEEK’s Adam Schupak wrote Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee has "never been shy to share his opinion," but he arguably has been "at his most outspoken in addressing the raging war between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf." Chamblee last week said the debut of LIV Golf near London made him "want to puke." Schupak: "In short, Brandel gonna Brandel and he isn’t pulling any punches." Chamblee "picked up where he left off" Monday during Golf Channel’s "Live From the U.S. Open." He directed "much of his vitriol at Mickelson," who reportedly jumped to LIV Golf for a reported $200M. Chamblee did not "spare other defectors to LIV," including Bryson DeChambeau, calling out his "inconsistent comments and giving the 2020 U.S. Open champion a tongue-lashing for the ages." That is the "type of commentary from golf media directed at a player that is sorely missing" (GOLFWEEK.com, 6/14).
SAME OLD LEFTY: In Boston, Jayna Bardahl notes Mickelson does not "have much to worry about" as it relates to losing fans due to his jump to LIV. As he played a practice round yesterday, the rope barrier was "stretched to the limit as fans extended hats, flags, and golf balls into Mickelson’s reach." Whether he expected it or not, Mickelson was "welcomed with an overwhelmingly positive response" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/15).
