Announcers openly booing players? Acceptable at the WM Phoenix Open.
And there were no shortage of boos Saturday afternoon and evening at TPC Scottsdale, especially on the 16th tee box. The rowdiest hole in golf is known for good shots being praised and bad ones being ridiculed.
But the announcers getting in on the fanfare? That’s what Smylie Kaufman and Kevin Kisner did on Saturday’s broadcast. NBC Sports set the duo up a few yards from the 16th tee box, and from the first tee shot, they provided a different type of commentary than we’ve seen from an NBC broadcast in some time.
Sure, Colt Knost and Amanda Renner have set up shop on this hole in previous years and done a stellar job, but with the CBS crew having the week off thanks to the Super Bowl, it was NBC’s time to showcase something new.
They may have struck gold.
Fans chimed in on social media in support of the duo and their non-stop debauchery from the 16th tee. Kisner even had a football he would pass to players for them to toss into the crowd, but the duo didn’t hold back commentating on the golf.
They praised good shots and boo’ed bad ones. They were clearly having fun, and the excitement of the 16th hole truly came through on the broadcast.
Kevin Kisner and Smylie Kaufman on the 16th tee box. (Photo: NBC Sports)
Here’s some of the best reactions to the duo making their debut from the tee box.
Awesome
Kizner and Smylie on 16 are awesome @WMPhoenixOpen
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) February 11, 2024
Try new stuff
Kiz and Smylie hanging out on 16 is such a proof of concept that golf telecasts would be so much better if they leaned into the fact that Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays are very different than Sundays.
Try stuff. Have fun. Mix in different voices. It’s great!
— D.J. Piehowski (@DJPie) February 10, 2024
Golfcast?
No clue if Golf Channel and NBC would go for this, but on the weeks they aren't airing the PGA Tour and another tour at the same time, they could have Kiz and Smylie be Peyton and Eli on an alternate feed.
— Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengee) February 10, 2024
A great pairing
WM Phoenix Open
KK and Smylie… a great pairing! 🔥👍@SmylieKaufman10 @K_Kisner @GolfChannel @NBCSports
— Ron Mintz (@MintzGolf) February 10, 2024
Delight
This Waste Management broadcast is just a delight. Kiz and Smylie are crushing it.
— Aaron Korolnek (@Aaron_Korolnek) February 11, 2024
Answered prayers
nbc heard our cries about the booth from the last few years and they answered…
the best thing golf channel has ever done was get @SmylieKaufman10 & @K_Kisner on the horn
— Matt Gannon (@matt_gannon_) February 11, 2024
The best
Smylie & Kiz are the best.
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) February 11, 2024
Jessica Korda chiming in
Commentary from @K_Kisner and @SmylieKaufman10 is absolute GOLD right now. G. O. L. D.
— Jessica Korda (@Thejessicakorda) February 10, 2024
A sample
Jesse Mueller, PGA General Manager at Grand Canyon University GC, gets the 16th loud with an outstanding tee shot. 👏
📺: Golf Channel & @peacock | @WMPhoenixOpen pic.twitter.com/LSl3dYIlJX
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) February 10, 2024
Pure comedy
Kiz funniest dude on planet earth.
— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) February 11, 2024
Greatest ever?
Smylie and Kiz might just be the greatest play by play duo in history.
— Shawn Wills (@swillspga) February 10, 2024
Electric
Smylie and Kiz are electric
— The Lock Of Gibraltar (@LockOfGibraltar) February 10, 2024
Appointment TV
Kiz and Smylie on 16 is appointment television. So good
— Taylor Ryan (@taylormryan_) February 10, 2024
Replacements?
Do the right thing and let @K_Kisner and @SmylieKaufman10 call the entire event @NBCSports
— John Peterson (@JohnPetersonFW) February 10, 2024
God's work
Smylie and Kiz doing Gods work on 16
— Mikey Cutlets (@BernLundquist) February 10, 2024
Laughing on a plane
Smylie & Kis got a lot of us laughing right now on this Delta flight! 🤣@SmylieKaufman10 @K_Kisner 🫡
— Trey Herring (@TreyBreezy17) February 11, 2024
Drinking game
If you’re looking for a game to get drunk fast. Take a shot every time Kisner says boo. You’ll be blacked out in 90 minutes or less.
— Jeff (@jeffmcg88) February 11, 2024
Peak entertainment
The @K_Kisner and @smyliekaufman10 commentary on 16 is peak entertainment. 😂
📺: Golf Channel & @peacock | @WMPhoenixOpen pic.twitter.com/z8QcHKbvAz
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) February 10, 2024
Nice shift
Kevin Kisner and Smylie Kaufman are putting in a nice shift on 16 at the @WMPhoenixOpen. So good.
— Adam Stanley (@adam_stanley) February 11, 2024
Perfect combo
Kisner and Smylie on 16 are a perfect combo 😂
— RORY FANS (@rory_fans) February 10, 2024
Iconic
Give me @K_Kisner and @SmylieKaufman10 on the call all the time. A dumb and dumber reference? Hell yes. They are iconic! Entertaining and knowledgeable as well! We need more of this pairing!!! #WMPhoenixOpen @GolfChannel
— Savannah Leigh (@SportsGirlSL) February 11, 2024
Tuning in from TPC Scottsdale
I’m literally at the WMPO & still tuning into the @SmylieKaufman10 & @K_Kisner broadcast because their commentary is that good. You guys sound like a couple frat guys watching this on your beer stained couch – in the best way possible.
— Mak (@makenawhite) February 11, 2024
Live look
Live look at @SmylieKaufman10 and @K_Kisner doing commentary on 16. Great stuff. We need more of this. pic.twitter.com/yBk8r3O3a8
— W (@ZitiDoggsGolf) February 10, 2024
Fun to be watching
Loving watching @SmylieKaufman10 and @K_Kisner ! This place is wild, first year in a while I’ve missed but it’s fun to be watching on tv! @PGATOUR
— Benjamin Higgins (@benhiggi) February 11, 2024
What about the Players?
I need @SmylieKaufman10 and @K_Kisner camped out on 17 for @THEPLAYERS this year. I’m enjoying this.
— Brett Dreier (@IJGAbrett) February 10, 2024
More, please
Smylie and Kiz have been so fun on 16 today. More of this on golf broadcasts please.
— Michael Ritter (@MikeSteveRitter) February 11, 2024
What state are they in?
.@K_Kisner and @SmylieKaufman10 both not knowing the Arizona flag was all time comedy.
— Masters Burner (@ANGC_burner) February 11, 2024
Are you not entertained?
Loving the @K_Kisner @SmylieKaufman10 commentating at 16th hole @WMPhoenixOpen pic.twitter.com/y1Y1PJDStC
— Brian Finneran (@BFinn86) February 11, 2024
