Nick Faldo was slammed on social media after he made a “rookie mistake” when he called Rory McIlroy’s epic hole-out on the 18th in the final round of The Masters before viewers saw it.
Faldo, the lead golf analyst for CBS and a six-time major champion, appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” Tuesday to tell his side of the story.
“I got caught up in that [moment] for that split second. I reacted. I got it all wrong,” Faldo said.
Faldo said McIlroy “pulled off an impossible shot,” and he had the best seat in the house to witness it — Faldo and play-by-play man Jim Nantz call the action from a tower behind the 18th green.
“I’m right in the mix of it, literally. And I honestly (thought) anything could happen if (Mcilroy) posts eight under. It could have won,” Faldo said.
He added that leader Scottie Scheffler could have trouble closing out the win, but the 25-year-old Texan eventually won by three shots.
Golf fans were quick to call Faldo out for his error.
I want to know how Faldo thought “I don’t want to spoil it” followed by “but something incredible has happened” wouldn’t be the only possible way that you could spoil it.
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) April 10, 2022
That is unforgivable. A fireable offense, not that we need one for Faldo. We were robbed of the most exciting moment on Sunday at Augusta. That’s so bad
— adam fink (@finkerstinker) April 10, 2022
Faldo called himself a rookie, but he is far from it — 2022 marks his 18th year as a television analyst.
There is no commentator in sports more annoying than Nick Faldo. He talks like golf is an easy sport and pro’s should never make one mistake. Get this clown off TV.
— Alex Gagne (@alexgagne91) March 28, 2021
• Peter Santo can be reached at psanto@washingtontimes.com.
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