Rory McIlroy finally got his hands on the elusive Green Jacket at Augusta this past Sunday, but not without a whole lot of drama—and some people think the broadcasters might’ve had something to do with that chaos.
ESPN’s always-outspoken Chris “Mad Dog” Russo didn’t hold back when he pointed a finger at CBS, suggesting their coverage may have jinxed Rory during his nail-biting final round.
While McIlroy did eventually clinch the win over Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff, it was anything but smooth sailing to the finish line.
McIlroy Was on the Brink—Then Things Got Shaky
The Northern Irish golfer, now 35, looked like he was going to coast to victory.
He had a five-shot lead with just eight holes left—more than enough cushion, right? But this is Rory we’re talking about, and things got tense fast.
He started strong but stumbled with a double bogey right off the bat, which allowed playing partner Bryson DeChambeau to close the gap.
A beautiful birdie on the 10th gave Rory a huge lead again, but it didn’t last long.
A disastrous pitch into Rae’s Creek on the 13th cost him another double bogey, and a bogey on the 14th didn’t help either.
He did bounce back with a birdie on the 17th to reclaim the lead—but then missed a putt on the 18th that could’ve sealed the deal.
That meant sudden death with Justin Rose, who had already finished at 11 under.
Fortunately for Rory, he pulled through when it counted most.
Mad Dog Blames the “Jinx” from CBS
So what was the problem? According to Russo, CBS might’ve been a little too confident in Rory’s win too early.
Appearing on First Take, Russo tore into the network’s coverage team, especially longtime anchor Jim Nantz.
“They just wouldn’t stop,” Russo said. “They basically declared him the winner on hole 12! Then he goes and hits into the bunker on 18.
Everyone’s talking about him slipping on the Green Jacket, and he misses a five-footer!”
Russo wasn’t alone in feeling that way. “I had so many fans texting me, saying, ‘They’re jinxing him! Shut up!’ And honestly, they weren’t wrong.”
Rory’s Up-and-Down Style Makes Him Irresistible to Watch
Russo also made a broader point—this is Rory McIlroy, not Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods.
He’s unpredictable, and that’s part of what makes him so compelling.
“When Jack or Tiger had a lead like that, they never blew it,” Russo argued. “But Rory? He’s a rollercoaster.”
That chaos may be nerve-wracking for fans, but it also makes Rory one of the most exciting players to watch.
His Masters win wasn’t just historic—it was a heart-pounding spectacle.
Rory’s Personal Life Comes Into Focus After the Win
After the victory, McIlroy sat down for a post-round chat with CBS reporter Amanda Balionis—who also happens to be rumored to be a former flame.
During the interview, McIlroy got emotional talking about his support system.
He credited his longtime caddy and friend Harry Diamond, as well as his young daughter, Poppy.
“I’ve had incredible support throughout my life. My parents gave me every chance to chase this dream,” Rory shared.
“To have Poppy there and to see this moment… I just want her to be proud of her dad.”
One name that didn’t come up during the emotional reflection? His wife, Erica. While some may read into that, McIlroy kept the focus firmly on his daughter and the journey that led him here.
A Message for the Dreamers Watching at Home
Rory wrapped things up with a powerful takeaway, especially for the younger fans watching: never give up.
“I told myself on the green, I’ve been chasing this for 17 years. And that’s a message I hope every kid sees.
If you put in the work, if you stay with it—you really can achieve anything.”