ESPN’s Chris “Mad Dog” Russo has accused CBS of trying to jinx Rory McIlroy with their coverage of the Masters.
The Northern Irishman won that elusive Green Jacket on Sunday, which means he’s only the sixth golfer to achieve a career grand slam in the history of the sport.
Most fans loved CBS’ broadcast, especially Jim Nantz’s lengthy silence after the deciding putt, but Russo has called the network out for nearly jinxing the 35-year-old by celebrating his win prematurely.
“They went on and on and on, much too premature,” he ranted during an episode of ‘First Take this week. “They spent so much time in the last two hours jinxing him!”
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo takes issue with CBS’ coverage of Rory McIlroy’s Masters win.
“They spent so much time in the last two hours jinxing him… you can’t do that with McIlroy! He’s not Jack, he’s not Tiger… I had so many fans rooting for Rory who said, ‘jeez, they’re jinxing… pic.twitter.com/g01Nghxwvb
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 16, 2025
Russo noted that CBS implied it would be over at several points, arguing that Rory McIlroy is not like Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods, who would never choke after taking a significant lead.
“When you think it’s over, it isn’t,” he pointed out. “When he’s great, then he’s bad. When he’s bad, like the playoff hole, he’s great!”
Rory McIlroy Is Truly Unpredictable
You really can’t ever tell with Rory. The jacket appeared out of his reach after his showing on Thursday, yet here we are.
It took him 11 years to get there, but he’s likely to tell you that all the disappointments were worth it as he can finally rub shoulders with Nicklaus and Woods where it pertains to career grand slams.
He’s also joined Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, and Gary Player in such regard.
McIlroy will hope to keep up the momentum as he’s now heading into the PGA Championship full steam ahead.
But had he not won on Sunday, Mad Dog would probably blame CBS.
