"Not going to put our heads in the sand" - Prominent networks ready to cover LIV golfers at The Masters

Modified Mar 28, 2023 06:06 GMT

The LIV golfers are all set to compete in the 2023 Masters scheduled from April 6 to April 9 at the Augusta National Golf Course. Eighteen members from LIV Golf will be competing at the 87th edition of the major tournament.

The tournament will be televised on CBS, which has been broadcasting The Masters for the past 68 years. Ahead of the game, the network's chairman, Sean McManus, opened up about the LIV golfers in the annual pre-Masters conference call. He said:

“We’re not going to cover up or hide anything. 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.”

Earlier in January, McManus confessed that CBS won't be landing into controversy between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. He said:

"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.”

CBS's lead analyst, Trevor Immerlman, also spoke about The Masters in a press conference and said:

“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.”

2023 Masters schedule

Monday, April 3: Pre-tournament

8 am EDT - Gates Open
12 pm-2 pm EDT - On the range (Live coverage online)

Tuesday, April 4

Tuesday event timing

8 am EDT - Gates open
9 am-11 am EDT - Live coverage online

Wednesday, April 5

8 am EDT - Gates open
12 pm EDT - Par 3 contest

Live coverage on TV

12 pm-3 pm EDT - Par 3 contest (ESPN+)
3 pm-5 pm EDT - Par 3 contest (ESPN)

Live coverage online (US only)

9 am-11 am EDT - On the range
12 pm-5 pm EDT- Par 3 contest

Thursday, April 6 Round 1

7:30 am EDT - Gates Open

Live Coverage on TV and Radio

3 pm-7:30 pm EDT - Live TV coverage (ESPN)
8 pm-11 pm EDT - ESPN replay
11:35 pm-11:50 pm EDT - CBS highlights
2 pm-7 pm EDT - Radio coverage (Sirius XM)

Live coverage online (US Only)

8:15 am-8:30 am EDT - Honorary starters
8:30 am-10:30 am EDT - On the range
9:15 am- 4 pm EDT - Holes 4, 5 and 6
10:50 am- 6:30 pm EDT - Amen corner
11 am-7:45 pm EDT - Featured groups
3 pm-7:30 pm EDT - Broadcast

Friday, April 7 Round 2

Live coverage on TV and Radio

3 pm-7:30 pm EDT - Live TV coverage (ESPN)
8 pm-11 pm EDT - ESPN replay
11:35 pm- 11:50 pm EDT - CBS highlights
2 pm-7 pm EDT - Radio coverage (Sirius XM)

Live coverage online (US Only)

8:30 am-10:30am EDT - On the range
9:15 am- 7:30 am EDT - Featured groups
8:45 am-3:30 pm EDT - Holes 4, 5 and 6
10:45 am-6 pm EDT - Amen corner
11:45 am- 7 pm EDT - Holes 15 and 16
3 pm-7:30 pm EDT - Broadcast

Saturday, April 8 Round 3

Live coverage on TV and Radio

3 pm-7 pm - Live TV coverage
2 pm-7 pm - Radio coverage (Sirius XM)

Live coverage online (US Only)

11 am-1 pm EDT - on the range
10:30 am-7:15 pm EDT - Featured groups
11 am-4 pm EDT - Holes 4, 5 and 6
12:50 pm-7 pm EDT - Amen corner
1:35 pm- 7:30 pm EDT - Holes 15 and 16
3 pm-7 pm EDT - Broadcast

Sunday, April 9 Round 4

Live coverage on TV and Radio

2 pm-7 pm EDT - Live TV coverage
2 pm-7 pm EDT - Radio coverage

Live coverage online (US Only)

11 am-1 pm EDT - On the range
10:20 am-7 pm EDT - Featured groups
10:55 am-4 pm EDT - Holes 4, 5 and 6
12:35 pm-6 pm EDT - Amen corner
1:25 pm- 6:30 pm EDT - Holes 15 and 16
2 pm-7 pm EDT - Broadcast
7 pm EDT - Green jacket ceremony

Edited by Sabine Algur