NBC and USA Network have taken the mantle to broadcast the Open live across the US. However, fans have come out in unison to express their disappointment over NBC’s live coverage.

USA Network was in charge of the live coverage in the opening two rounds. NBC took over on Saturday, and it has been a below-par experience for golf fans. Their patience reached its limit on Sunday.

“The NBC viewing experience this morning is an embarrassing production,” wrote Fried Egg Golf’s founder, Andy Johnson.

Bryson DeChambeau has been the centre of attention at Royal Birkdale. However, viewers have criticized the way the LIV man has been covered. 

"NBC in Playing Through for Bryson's arrival to the first tee with no audio," No Laying Up wrote on social media. "Just cannot make it up." 

DeChambeau has had his issues with the American circuit. His controversial two-stroke penalty has left the golfing community divided. Some believe that the two-time major champion is being treated differently for his allegiance to LIV.

"It’s genuinely embarrassing how everyone on NBC blatantly shows their bias with Bryson DeChambeau. They cannot stand him and don’t hide it at all," a social media user wrote. 

On top of that, NBC's colour grading and graphics were also not up to the mark.

"Even the color grading and saturation that NBC uses are pitiful. It’s wild how much better (and more natural/realistic) the world feed looks. The leaderboards and graphics have been a mess," wrote No Laying Up's co-founder Tron Carter.

Even their audio had discrepancies, and the fans were quick to point them out.

"What the h*** is this buzzing/humming/static sound in the back of the golf broadcast on NBC? It’s awful and driving me insane," wrote Super Bowl LIV Champion Mitchell Schwartz.

Fans have been left frustrated with the over-coverage of Scottie Scheffler by NBC.

Fans are complaining about the over-coverage of Scottie Scheffler

It was Scottie Scheffler’s title to defend at Royal Birkdale. Despite a 67 in the final round, the 30-year-old failed to reach the top. 

The NBC broadcast focused mostly on the defending champion on Sunday, and the fans had enough.

“@NBCSports @nbc the absolute worse golf coverage ever. Why am I watching Scottie walk around and wait 5 minutes to hit,” wrote an X user.

Scheffler finished at 7-under, which secured him a tie for 4th. NBC's focus was on the World No. 1, but the fans expected other golfers to get their screen time as well.

“NBC spending 30 minutes following Scottie Scheffler look for his ball instead of showing actual golf shots is terrible TV coverage,” wrote another user.

Fans would have wanted to witness more of the golf than Scheffler's walkabout at Royal Birkdale. 

What are your thoughts on NBC's coverage? Share them in the comments.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason