U.S. Senior Open: Padraig Harrington Has Words with NBC Analyst

Newsweek

a day ago

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The stars of the PGA Tour Champions may have lost a few yards on their drives, but they certainly haven't lost their competitive spirit. If you have any doubts, just watch the intense exchange between Padraig Harrington and Roger Maltbie.
KOAA News5 Colorado Springs reporter Brett Forrest posted a video of this moment, and it quickly went viral on social media.
The footage shows Harrington engaged in a lively debate with Maltbie following the second round of the U.S. Senior Open on the East Course at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Harrington is one of the 36-hole leaders, while Maltbie is covering the event as NBC's on-course reporter.
Video from the US Senior Open shows Irish pro Padraig Harrington going at it with NBC on-course analyst Roger Maltbie.
Sounds like Harrington, who's tied for first, wasn't happy with where Maltbie stood. But Maltbie wasn't having it either.
Maltbie is a pro golfer himself pic.twitter.com/uIavlRbUfw — Brett Forrest (@brettforrestTV) June 27, 2025
The video doesn't allow you to hear the entire exchange, but it's clear that Harrington was upset with Maltbie for not helping to find a ball during the round.
"Never on a golf course stand up looking at somebody looking [for a ball]...That's the etiquette of the game," Harrington said.
Everything seems to indicate that Maltbie did not agree with Harrington at all:
"That's a hard one, that's a hard one," he said.
It's unclear if they were referring to Harrington's ball or another player's. For whatever reason, the three-time major champion believed that Maltbie should have helped with the process.
It's worth noting that Maltbie is a PGA Tour veteran with more than 20 years of experience, but he was present as a reporter. In other words, he undoubtedly knows golf etiquette, but it's unclear whether he should have helped with the alleged search.
Padraig Harrington of Ireland hits a tee shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the U.S. Senior Open Championship 2025 at Broadmoor Golf Club on June 26, 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Padraig Harrington of Ireland hits a tee shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the U.S. Senior Open Championship 2025 at Broadmoor Golf Club on June 26, 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.Rule 7 of the Rules of Golf, established by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the R&A, holds players absolutely responsible for searching for their ball after each shot. Tournaments and tours provide ball finders to assist with the process and establish time limits for the search.
The rule does not expressly prohibit other persons present (players, caddies, etc.) from assisting in the search. However, the rule neither establishes this as an obligation for those other persons, only for the player.
The most logical conclusion seems to be that Harrington wanted all the help he could get and was upset when he didn't get what he expected from Maltbie. Hence, he gave him a piece of his mind at the end of the round.
However, the Dublin, Ireland, native didn't need much help to bolster his performance. After 36 holes of the US Senior Open, Padraig Harrington is tied for first place with Stewart Cink and Mark Hensby, with a score of 8-under entering the final round.
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