PGA Tour Issues New On-Course Microphone Rules After Player Complaints
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Justin Thomas uttering a homophobic slur was not the final straw. Nor were the many other salty language moments picked up by television microphones.
Multiple sources have shared Commissioner Jay Monahan’s email to players outlining restrictive measures designed to reduce the PGA Tour’s overheard conversations and obscenities. High-quality audio became a focus of player ire in recent weeks when NBC microphones captured balls hitting the water.
“It seemed like it was louder this year and we got agents complaining about player brand damage due to the ker-plunk sound,” said a source.
The news all but dashes hopes of players wearing microphones or placement of mic’s in cups. Players have publicly pushed back at recent broadcaster efforts to share more of on-course conversations and have defied requests for on-course interviews.
Just last week at the WGC Dell Match Play, Jon Rahm told writers it was a privacy issue.
When asked for comment, the PGA Tour deferred all questions to their network partners. However, GeoffShackelford.com obtained the email sent to players by Commissioner Jay Monahan:
