LPGA fans were promised a 6 PM start for the Fortinet Founders Cup. They didn't get it. For the second straight day, the broadcast was delayed due to a scheduling overlap, leaving viewers frustrated and raising questions about the tour's broadcast priorities.

Coverage of the Fortinet Founders Cup was scheduled for 6 PM ET, but it began later because Golf Channel remained with the Valspar Championship as Jordan Spieth completed his round. The overlap pushed the start beyond the listed time.

And when that time shifts without communication, it leaves viewers waiting for coverage that does not begin as scheduled. That reaction was also echoed by Josh Carpenter on Friday, who shared on X:

“Coverage windows routinely run long. I get it. Happens all the time. And Golf Channel would stick with LPGA tonight if their coverage called for it. Just pointing out it sucks that they touted it all week, 6 pm and then late both days.”

We've seen how troubling these delays can be. At the 2024 Solheim Cup, the LPGA had to apologize to fans. Last year, at CME, the same controversy threw off fans and sponsors. The LPGA had to make improvements at TPC Boston.

In the end, coverage did begin. The round did play out. But the difference between what was promoted and what aired remained. And for viewers who followed the schedule, that is what stands out.

Interestingly, this error comes at a time when the Tour is trying to make one of the biggest changes in its broadcasting history.

LPGA Tour Coverage Shift Begins as Broadcast Delay Links Back to Scheduling Overlap

Through its partnership with FM Global, the LPGA Tour introduced expanded on-course coverage. Additional cameras were placed to capture different angles, including overhead and close-range views of players such as Nelly Korda during putting.

Shot tracing was used more frequently on selected players, including Yealimi Noh and Brooke Matthews, while drone footage provided aerial views of the course and transitions between holes.

Audio access also increased, with microphones picking up player discussions and rules conversations. In-round interviews were part of the coverage as well, with players like Andrea Lee featured during play.

This was the first opportunity in the season for these elements to be used together after earlier events were held outside the United States.

So while the rollout marks a shift in approach, the broadcast remains in an early phase of execution, where structure is present but consistency is still developing.

Read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar