Funny, outrageous, honest.
Kevin Kisner’s introduction to the NBC booth is already looking like a masterstroke.
From theorising that players without children play well at Kapalua to admitting to not having the patience to do AimPoint putting, there hasn’t been a dull moment yet.
His straight-talking style came at the expense of Jordan Spieth on Saturday night when the three-time major champion was negotiating a short putt.
“If I was going to help him, I’d tell him to speed it up a little bit on these and just knock it in. He knows how to make these,” Kisner said.
Spieth’s ball violently lipped out. Fans watching at home then heard Spieth’s frustrations about the wind and the grain of the green, so Kisner offered some simple advice.
“It’s three feet Jordan, just knock it in bud.”
If only putting was that simple. Nonetheless, Spieth still carded a 67 to trail by just two shots on 19-under-par heading into the final round.
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Kevin Kisner: PGA Tour star back after lengthy break
Kisner withdrew from the Travelers Championship in June with illness and didn’t play again until September.
The 39-year-old took time away to reload after a patch of poor form. He hasn’t made a top 10 on tour since the 2022 QBE shootout and he’s missed eight cuts in that time as well.
With no injury of note, Kisner looks to be breaking into a new stage of his career while still being a member of the PGA Tour.
“I’m excited to have this opportunity with NBC Sports to watch the game of golf from the other side and comment on what I’m seeing on the course,” he said in December.
“I’ve always respected how Tommy Roy and NBC Sports’ golf production team presents golf on television.”
As well as the Sentry Tournament of Champions, he’s set to pick up the mic at the raucous WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
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