Fox Sports and the United States Golf Association (USGA) have issued an apology after sexually graphic audio was inadvertently broadcast during the US Open earlier this week. A couple of fans were responsible for the conversation, which described a sexual encounter in vivid detail.
Fox had placed dozens of microphones around the Shinnecock Hills golf course, and a hot mic picked up the spectators’ dialogue, which centred on a man’s rough sex romp with an ex-girlfriend. (Read it here).
Sportscaster Joe Buck was talking about American golfer Patrick Reed when the audio was broadcast. After producers realized the gaffe, they lowered the volume on the offending microphone.
“Today, during the live FS! broadcast of the 2018 U.S. Open, one of the many microphones on the course inadvertently picked up some offensive crowd chatter,” said a Fox Sports statement. “We sincerely apologize”.
“We deeply regret the inappropriate language and sentiment expressed by a few fans that was unfortunately picked up by a microphone on the course during today’s broadcast,” The USGA added. “We are working closely with our partners at Fox Sports to address this issue.”
It’s unclear whether the fans were aware that a microphone was picking up their conversation.
Buck is no stranger to on-air mistakes. In 2017, he incorrectly identified the girlfriend of winner Brooks Koepka as Becky Edwards, his ex. When Koepka, 28, won the US Open again this year, Buck made sure to emphasize that his girlfriend was named Jena Sims. Koepka is just the seventh golfer in history to win consecutive US Opens.
“I enjoy the test,” Koepka said. “I enjoy being pushed to the limit. Sometimes you feel like you are about to break mentally, but that’s what I enjoy. I enjoy hard golf courses. I enjoy playing about the toughest in golf you are ever going to play.”
