CBS not airing Rickie Fowler’s PGA Tour win live on TV angers fans: ‘Inexcusable’

Rickie Fowler won his first PGA Tour event since 2019 in a three-man playoff – but fans weren’t able to watch live on TV.

CBS instead opted to stream the end of the final round of Rocket Mortgage Classic live on its app and website – while on TV, it showed a rodeo at 1 p.m. and taped PGA Tour Special at 2 p.m.

Golf Channel broadcasted the Rocket Mortgage but it was behind the live event and it would be shown on CBS on tape delay at 3 p.m.

Inclement weather had moved up the start time of the round so that the tournament would not potentially finish on Monday.

The circumstance, and CBS not getting a live feed up on TV for the playoff, set off anger from fans and an epic rant from Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.

Portnoy went off after seeing tweets about Fowler closing in on an elusive win and then realizing it wasn’t be shown in conventional television.

“Not on TV,” Portnoy said in a social media video. “I’m watching CBS and they’re showing some, I don’t know what they’re showing, some old taped amateur-hour golf thing. … What is this 1921? We’re showing taped delayed golf tournaments? Who the f—k wants to watch that?

“I’m in Traverse City, Michigan watching people drive around in a truck. What are we doing? CBS are you that dumb? Is this LIV [Golf]? Is this a LIV thing? … Figure out a way to put the live golf on TV. So I can watch the live golf on TV.”

CBS Sports did not immediately return a request for comment about the broadcast decision.     

Portnoy wasn’t the only person angered by the network’s choice.

“Was easier to watch LIV play at 4 a.m. than watch Rickie win the PGA TOUR event on CBS,” college golfer Canon Claycomb tweeted shortly after the victory.

Fowler used a 12-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to beat Collin Morikawa and Adam Hadwin for his first PGA win since 2019.

“Hey great job by @CBS on not airing Rickie’s first win in four years,” @RobisRaable wrote on Twitter. “Stellar programming choice.”

Fowler provided plenty of drama in the closing holes.

He needed to make a 3-foot birdie on 18 to earn a spot in the playoff at 24-under par and then used a ridiculously good shot to set up the win.  

Fowler hit an errant tee-shot way right in the playoff and after a drop.

His approach from 184 landed 11 feet from the cup.

“Congratulations, Rickie Rose.”@BradleyMerlo tweeted. “Inexcusable of CBS to not broadcast on LIVE TV.”