ESPN accused of 'desecrating' The Masters with controversial coverage decision

ESPN is once again taking heat after one of the broadcaster featured a non-golf star prominently during its Masters coverage.

TheMastersis widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the sport. ESPN already was shut down by Augusta National Golf Club when theydenied contributor Pat McAfee a studio spot on their grounds during the tournament.

During Thursday's opening round, viewers on social media were outraged after WWE wrestler Michael Gregory Mizanin, or The Miz, sat alongside longtime ESPN reporter Laura Rutledge during the Masters broadcast.

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“Just a continuation of how ESPN has degraded over a number of years,” wrote one user on X.

“I don't think ESPN actually employs golf analysts/personalities anymore. So they just take from what they have and these folks are all about it. Who wouldn't want to get paid to be at the Masters,” wrote another.

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Another angry social media user wrote, “ESPN has desecrated the Masters with their coverage this week.”

The Miz wasn't the only non-golf athlete on site this week. Jason Kelce was at Augusta for ESPN as a sideline reporter during the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday. He made his introduction on the broadcast in a caddie outfit, unfolding a lawn chair and talking noticeably loud at an otherwise quiet and calm course.

The most prestigious event in golf approved for Kelce to be there — although it denied his fellow ESPN star McAfee and his broadcast crew — while Scott Van Pelt and Marty Smith performed more traditional interviews along the sidelines as Kelce wandered the grounds, and viewers on social media weren’t in favor of the retired NFL star being on their televisions.

"I’ll lose my mind if I see Jason Kelce hit a golf shot during this par 3 contest," one X user wrote. "Jason Kelce just absolutely brutal in his first appearance at Augusta," wrote another.

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Kelce's appearance started with him walking in the midst of fans, screaming about his lawn chair as the Par 3 Contest kicked off behind him. He unfolded a Masters lawn chair and sat down as the camera spun around him with patrons blatantly staring in awkward silence.

"1) Absolutely no one wants to hear or see from Jason Kelce during Masters week. Really bad choice to allow that. 2) It’s time for @LPGA ladies to have a go at your beautiful little piece of heaven. Not an exhib either. Full on battle," wrote someone else.

byLiam Oneel

in

April 11, 2026

ESPN accused of 'desecrating' The Masters with controversial coverage decision

ESPN is once again taking heat after one of the broadcaster featured a non-golf star prominently during its Masters coverage. The...

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‘Laguna Beach’ Cast Reveals Show’s Most Surprising Off Camera Hookups During Reunion Special

Laguna Beachis going back, back to the beginning — and revealing some behind-the-scenes romances that never made it to air.

During the Friday, April 10, 20th anniversary special, titledThe Reunion: Laguna Beach, the season 1 cast spilled all the tea on the relationships that were — and weren’t — highlighted on the series. The reality show, which ran from 2004 to 2006 on MTV, followed the trials and tribulations of Laguna High School students as they navigated love, friendship and their impending graduation.

But before the secret romances were revealed, hostCasey Wilsonhad a few hot-seat questions for Laguna’s most iconic love triangle:Kristin Cavallari,Stephen CollettiandLauren Conrad.

The love triangle was a major contributing factor to Laguna Beach’s insta-popularity, as the pilot episode picked up right as Stephen was seemingly choosing between Kristin, his on-off girlfriend, and Lauren, his longtime best friend. According to the trio, cameras actually started rolling after the drama was over, but producers “stretched” out the conflict to keep things interesting.

Lauren Conrad and Kristin Cavallari Break Down ‘Laguna Beach’ Reunion, Where They Stand Now

Warning: Spoilers below forThe Reunion: Laguna Beach.

“Stephen and I were together for about a year before cameras ever came. So my sophomore year, his junior year. We then broke up beginning of my junior year, [his] senior year. That’s whenTalan [Torriero]and I had a little something and [he and Lauren] may have had a little something, and then we got back together, and this is all before MTV ever came,” Kristin explained during the special. “And then when they came, they obviously caught wind of that … and MTV knew it was a juicy story line, so they kept it going as much as possible.”

Kristin admitted she felt most “threatened” by producers asking Stephen and Lauren to “hang out” alone, as she was afraid that he might pick Lauren over her. Lauren, meanwhile, said she was mostly broken up about losing a friend in Stephen.

As for when the height of the drama took place, Lauren recalled a disastrous winter formal.

“[Kristin and Stephen] were starting to get back together, and [Stephen and I] were in the back of a big party bus talking. And I was saying, ‘Well, if you guys are getting back together, that’s fine, I don’t need to be a part of this,’” Lauren shared. “And [Kristin] came back and got really upset. It got a little heated.”

Neither Kristin nor Stephen could remember the incident, but according to Lauren, “A shoe got thrown. We had people pulling us [apart].”

Keep scrolling for every surprise hookup and romance revealed duringThe Reunion: Laguna Beach:

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Trey Phillips and Alex Hooser

Alex revealed during the reunion that she and Trey have “shared a smooch.”

Dieter Schmitz and Alex Hooser

While Alex’s love life wasn’t highlighted on Laguna Beach, the former reality star confessed that she dated more than one person from the show. “Dieter and I have … ‘dietered,’” she said with a laugh.

Jessica Smith and Stephen Colletti

Although briefly discussed on Stephen and Kristin’s “Back to the Beach” podcast in 2022, Jessica recalled how she and Stephen “hung out for a summer, a blip,” although she “wouldn’t call it dating.”

Stephen, for his part, called it a “flash in the pan.”

Christina Sinclair and Talan Torriero

Christina caused jaws to drop when she announced that she was Talan’s “first girlfriend.”

Talan confirmed the news, telling the group, “I remember she was the first girl that I kissed in the quad, with people looking and [we] held hands,” revealing it was “sophomore or junior year” when they got together.

“That’s something that people don’t know,” he said, to which Christina replied, “I thought you forgot!”

‘Laguna Beach’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Kristin Cavallari and Lauren Conrad’s Ex Doug Reinhardt

When Lauren recalled her off camera relationship with Doug Reinhardt in high school, Kristin revealed that she actually dated him too during her freshman year.

“Can’t you let me have one thing?!” Lauren jokingly yelled at Kristin before admitting, “We’ve got great taste.”

Lauren Conrad and Dieter Schmitz

While portrayed as best friends on the show, Dieter noted that he and Lauren were an item — in middle school.

“It was a roller-coaster,” he quipped.

byLiam Oneel

in

April 11, 2026

‘Laguna Beach’ Cast Reveals Show’s Most Surprising Off Camera Hookups During Reunion Special

Laguna Beachis going back, back to the beginning — and revealing some behind-the-scenes romances that never made it to air. Durin...

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Robert MacIntyre’s middle-finger meltdown ends with Masters reprimand

Robert MacIntyre clearly had enough. And the Masters officials did, too.

After MacIntyre’s ball sailed into the water for the first of two times on the 15th hole at Augusta National, he let his emotionsget the best of him, flipping his middle finger to the camera. MacIntyre finished with a quadruple bogey on the hole.

He alsosmashed his clubinto the ground after his second shot on the 17th hole and could be heard swearing on the 12th and 13th.

“It’s now going left to right, Jesus f–k!” he said after hole 12.

MacIntyre has since been reprimanded by the Masters officials and was reminded of the code of conduct, per The Scotsman.

It’s behavior that you would likely be able to get away with at other tournaments, but Augusta holds itself to a higher standard.

He finished the first day of the Masters tied for 82nd place in the 91-player field. MacIntyre must reach the top 50 to make the cut.

MacIntyre started to mount a comeback on Friday, making three birdies on the front nine after opening with a double bogey.

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Following his outburst on Thursday, he also refused to speak to reporters.

It’s an underwhelming start for the Scot, who entered the 90th annual Masters ranked eighth in the world behind the likes of reigning champion Rory McIlroy and top-ranked Scottie Scheffler. He also excelled at the Players Championship and the Valero Texas Open earlier this year, placing fourth and tied for second, respectively.

His antics Thursday didn’t come out of the blue, though.

MacIntyre was heard saying “that was f—ing s–t” at the Valero Texas Open as well last week. Speaking to the media afterward, he stood his ground.

“I know I am volatile and I know the bad language and stuff, MacIntyre said, “but that’s just me.”

He doubled down on that sentiment before the Masters began on Tuesday.

“I am trying to do my best out on the golf course,” MacIntyre said. “I’m a sportsman and it is a live sport. I’m going to react the way I want to react. I’m not going to change how I react because there is someone standing there or elsewhere.

“I am trying to do the best that I can and I will take my time after to go and sign autographs with kids and what not, but, when I am playing golf I am red-lining.”

Now, his antics have finally caught up to him.

byLiam Oneel

in

April 11, 2026

Robert MacIntyre’s middle-finger meltdown ends with Masters reprimand

Robert MacIntyre clearly had enough. And the Masters officials did, too. After MacIntyre’s ball sailed into the water for the fir...

Read More