The early reviews for NBC’s coverage of the Ryder Cup have not been positive.
As the USA-Europe battle teed off from Bethpage Black Golf Course in New York on Friday on USA Network—which is still a part of NBCUniversal before the company’s cable networks split off into Versant—a number of viewers were upset over issues with the sound engineering and commercial breaks causing them to miss action from the tournament.
Nathan Hubbard, the former Ticketmaster CEO who hosts a podcast for The Ringer, wrote on X/Twitter, “The USA network live sound engineer is ruining the telecast – roars coming at least a second after the action. All this hype for a huge event, we get a huge moment from Bryson [DeChambeau], and it’s fumbled.”
Hubbard continued, “If you’re going to charge this much money, if you’re going to spend this much money, can you make the sound of the club hitting the ball line up with the video on the telecast in 2025?!?!? WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE.”
Professional golfer Graeme McDowell was not happy with all the ads. “This @USANetwork coverage driving me insane already. Think we are on the 5th commercial break. May have to flip on the @SkySports version. Any better?” McDowell tweeted.
Barstool Sports host Kirk Minihane responded to McDowell, “Missing an incredible amount of shots. This might be the worst coverage I’ve ever seen. Fleetwood bunker shot from plugged lie to set up Rory [McIlroy] birdie is just the latest. NBC owns Golf Channel, why isn’t there another broadcast showing this? Why just USA?”
One source told FOS that there were audio issues with the world feed on Friday morning that have since been corrected.
NBC reportedly pays $55 million per year to air the Ryder Cup in the United States, as part of a 15-year, $440 million deal that goes through 2031. While it couldn’t be expected to air it ad-free for three days, golf fans clearly feel there is an imbalance on Friday.
Sam Vecenie, an NBA writer at The Athletic, weighed in: “Literally covering four holes and NBC is somehow missing shots at the Ryder Cup? How is this possible? What are we doing?”
“TV would never miss a drive in football, an inning of baseball, or minutes of a basketball game for commercials or random commentary,” the X/Twitter account golfBestBall wrote. “Why are we missing ANY shots at The Ryder Cup? Come on NBC/USA. Be better.”
NBC Sports declined to comment when asked about the broadcast issues.
