Scottie Scheffler’s 2022 WM Phoenix Open win is a lasting memory.
Memory 1A must be Sam Ryder’s Saturday hole-in one on the 16th hole. This was the 11th ace at TPC Scottsdale’s iconic hole. Carlos Ortiz was able to score the 12th hole during Sunday’s final round. But Ryder’s hole out stole the spotlights.
The 15,000 people in the coliseum, or at least those actually watching the golf, had a fantastic view of the Ryder shot. But the best seats were occupied by Amanda Renner and Colt Knost, a CBS Sports duo.
CBS created a set just for them last year for the third round coverage.
“That was all Sellers shy,” Knost said to Golfweek. He also credited the CBS Sports lead producer for their golf coverage. “I am not afraid to try something new.
“Trying to describe the atmosphere down at 16 makes it so difficult for us. It’s something we don’t find anywhere else in golf. It’s a party.
This is why it’s so great to have this set in such a great spot at TPC Scottsdale. How do you dial up a hole in one on live TV? It’s quite another.
“To have everything work out as well as it did, for Sam Ryder to hit one of his best shots last year, and the chaos that followed, was amazing. For us, trying to name one of our favorite shots was so much fun. It was perfect. It was perfect. It was a huge success and one of our favorite shots of the year.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? ALL the drinks on me
pic.twitter.com/xIfIL6NLxG
Sam Ryder (@SamRyderSU February 12, 2022
Knost said he had “got a beer can on the shoulder” when thousands of aluminum bottles and cans came pouring down. “Definitely had some beer on me. Amanda also did it.
“Obviously, we don’t want anyone getting hurt. It makes the experience even more authentic if we have some beer. It was one of my favorite moments in golf.”
CBS will host an on-course course set for Knost or Renner at five PGA Tour stops by 2023
- Feb. 11: WM Phoenix Open, 16th hole
- May 13: AT&T Byron Nelson 17th hole
- June 10: RBC Canadian Open, 14th hole
- July 11: Rocket Mortgage Classic 15th hole
- Aug. 12: FedEx St. Jude Championship, 14th hole
Knost states that it is important to have the set on a “easy hole”, where there can be cool reaction and where you can get hole-ins or even hole-ins. Phoenix is a simple one.
The set was a huge success. The set was a hit, as was the live chat with a player at the course, as Max Homa demonstrated during the Farmers Insurance Open.
Knost stated, “It’s an improvement in the broadcast.” “I think we are starting to do some really cool stuff to make golf more enjoyable on TV. It’s about getting players to mic up. It’s about trying new things, because we know that golf can be boring. We want it to be fun.
