"Probably not something for me" – PGA Tour pros divided over CBS' new ‘mic'd up’ segments
Ever since the inception of LIV Golf, the PGA Tour has been trying new moves to instill fans’ interest in their events. This included TV gimmicks, like allowing the CBS’ 'mic'd up' segment where players get a mic placed on them while playing. The segment became an instant hit among casual golf fans as it allowed more insight into the game.
While the move seems favorable for the fans’ entertainment, the pros don’t seem too keen about it. CBS is currently in plans to mic up the circuit’s top players at the upcoming Genesis International, and players like Collin Morikawa aren’t too excited. Patrick Cantlay was another golfer who showed disinterest. He said that it was “probably not something for me.”
Speaking about CBS' new 'mic'd up' segments for PGA Tour events, Collin Morikawa said:
“I don't know if this is supposed to be a surprise, but I'm going to do it at Riv. It's not a maybe, I will be doing it. I'll leave it at that."
While confirming that he's already agreed to give it a try in L.A., Morikawa said that it's good for the fans. However, the two-time major winner stated that the move worked well for players like Max Homa and Keith Mitchell at Torrey Pines during the PGA Tour Pebble Beach Pro-Am last Sunday and he could definitely give it a try.
He added:
"How it worked with Max [Homa] and everything — look, it's one hole. It gives you an insight. We talk about a bunch of stuff, but obviously when we're hitting our golf shots, we're talking about how things work. It's like listening to Eli and Peyton [on Monday Night Football], you hear an insight on how it actually works. Maybe you'll see different stuff you normally don't see."
Meanwhile, Patrick Cantlay was least interested in the move.
He said:
"Probably not something for me. But I think it's great that those guys who want to do it are able to give those insights while they're out there playing."
Mic'd up Max Homa ‼️🎤
"If I can hit this thing to 5 feet then I'm too good to be only 7 under." 😂 https://t.co/5e8lZjYQRC
Rory McIlroy is on board to getting mic'd up on PGA Tour
Interestingly, World No.1 Rory McIlroy seems to enjoy the idea. The Irish golfer revealed that he enjoyed what he saw and heard from Homa and Mitchell at the PGA Tour's Pebble Beach Pro-Am and was ready to give the ‘mic’d segment’ a shot.
McIlroy said:
"I thought they were very good. It's very unobtrusive; you just put an AirPod in your ear and just have a chat with the guys in the studio. It would take a little bit of convincing for me. But given the last couple of weeks and how well I think it's been received; I'd certainly be open to it."
Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler is on the other side. The World No. 2, who declined similar moves on the Korn Ferry Tour, said that he was too focused on the game to entertain the mic.
He said:
"I usually try to do my best to stay in the moment and kind of forget about everything else that's going on around me. So that would be something I'd have to really think about, which I haven't done yet, but maybe I will more in the future. I haven't been approached yet, so I haven't really had to think about it. Maybe I will now. We'll see."
The PGA Tour pros seem divided on the idea of getting mic’d up while playing. However, it’ll be interesting to see if CBS manages to get them all on board, making for a special and ‘insightful’ viewing experience for the fans.