The Masters Begins, But Not on TV, Just Because

The Masters begins Thursday morning, but not on TV, and if you are wondering why, it is just because Augusta National officials say so, Sporting News reported.

For the past 60 years, the Masters has been aired on CBS, but the first and final rounds been shown on TV only in recent years. Now it appears that Augusta National is retracing its steps.

Those hoping to catch TV coverage of the tournament will only be able to do so in the afternoons, which means that fans have to resort to getting their extra dose of action from featured groups and other online streams, according to CBS Sports.

SB Nation noted that club members enforced strict limits on how much of the tournament can be broadcast by its partners, but Augusta officials have not given a reason for this.

However, as Sporting News pointed out, there is an air of mystique surrounding the Masters brand, and TV saturation could hurt that, even if it means turning down big money.

An anonymous insider told Golf Digest that, if execs were to open the domestic TV bidding, it would be worth more than the U.S. Open, "but that's never going to happen."

Instead the club settles for revenue of only $30 million, none of which comes from TV, Sporting News said.

Turning down lucrative broadcasting deals means the club retains complete control over how much of the tournament is shown on TV.

Meanwhile, fans unable to attend the tournament have to make do with the Masters limited coverage on TV and online on its official website.

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