This week’s Valero Texas Open will be running against LIV Golf’s first event of the season on American soil but despite the Saudi backed series obtaining TV coverage with The CW Networtk, the vast majority will be tuning in on the major networks to watch the likes of Rickie Fowler and Tyrrell Hatton battle it out in San Antonio. But how will things change the following week when both sides collide at the Masters Tournament, will the PGA TOUR loyal networks shy away from the likes of Mickselson, Johnson, Schwartzel and Watson?
Golfweek first picked this up when they talked to CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus during the network’s annual pre-Masters conference call and he promised to keep things as they were pre LIV.
“We’re not going to cover up or hide anything,” said McManus. “As I’ve said often, our job is to cover the golf tournament.
“We’re not going to show any different treatment for the golfers who have played on the LIV Tour than the other golfer.
“If there is a pertinent point or something that we feel we should bring up in our coverage Saturday or Sunday or on our other coverage throughout the week, we’re not going to put our heads in the sand.
“Having said that, unless it really affects the story that’s taking place on the golf course, we’re not going to go out of our way to cover it.
“I’m not sure there is anything that we could add to this story as it already exists. It’s a factor and we’ll cover it as suitable.”
It came as no surprise to hear the 2008 Masters Champion Trevor Immelman, who will be CBS’s lead analyst for the tournament, supported McManus’ comments. Though, having seen the effect of LIV Golf on his President’s Cup Captaincy last year it must have been slightly painful to say:
“The Masters Tournament and Augusta National is bigger than any player that has come before, any player that is around now and any player that will come in the years ahead.
“That’s what we’re focused on is giving that tournament justice and crowning a great champion and putting a Green Jacket on a great champion on Sunday afternoon.”
