CBS commentator Gary McCord made a joke about the slickness of Augusta National's greens during the 1994 Masters that would ultimately cost him his spot in future broadcasts.
The quip may have elicited chuckles from viewers, but it certainly didn't amuse the powers-that-be at Augusta or two-time Masters winner Tom Watson, who penned a stern letter calling for McCord's dismissal. Not long after, McCord found himself permanently sidelined from the Masters coverage.
The incident unfolded as McCord provided commentary during the final round of the '94 Masters, just as Jose Maria Olazabal was preparing to putt on the 17th green. To describe the challenging conditions of the greens, McCord said: "I don't think they mow these greens, I think they bikini wax them."
While the line was typical of McCord's lighthearted style, it struck a sour note with Augusta National, an institution steeped in tradition. At first, there seemed to be no official consequences.
Neal Pilson, then president of CBS Sports, was right beside McCord and even found the remark entertaining. However, the situation took a turn when Tom Watson entered the fray.
The golf legend, who earned eight major titles including two Masters victories, sent a personal letter to CBS golf producer Frank Chirkinian. Watson's letter and concerns from the Augusta National course carried weight.
"I get called into Frank's office and he goes, 'close the door.' So I close the door, and he throws me a letter, and it's written in pencil," McCord shared on the latest episode of Kostis and McCord: Off Their Rockers.
"And I look at the letter, it says addressed to Augusta National. And it says, 'we need to eradicate this lesion on golf. He is the Howard Stern of golf and we need to pay attention to this and what he said', signed Tom Watson."
When Chirkinian called McCord into his office and presented him with the letter, it was clear that trouble was brewing. Augusta National, known for its protective stance over the Masters' image, was reportedly contemplating action, and CBS did not step up to defend its seasoned commentator.
A few months later, McCord was discreetly removed from all future Masters coverage, although he continued to be a regular feature on CBS's golf broadcasts until 2019. However, the drama didn't stop there.
At the Pebble Beach Pro-Am the following year, McCord confronted Watson about the letter. He felt let down that Watson hadn't approached him directly before taking the matter to the Augusta officials.
Despite the initial friction, the two managed to smooth things over and now share a friendly relationship. Reflecting on the incident, McCord acknowledges that it inadvertently gave his broadcasting career a significant lift.
"I got more publicity for doing this than anything I ever did in golf," he admitted in a subsequent interview.
Nevertheless, it stands as one of the most notorious episodes in golf television history – and a stark reminder of the limits of comedy at Augusta.
