British Open 2025: NBC cutting off Rory McIlroy's 'Oppenheimer' breakdown was an egregious error
In post-round interviews, especially during bigger tournaments, you'll often hear tour pros say they plan to go back to their hotels or rental homes and get their minds off golf. For some that may mean playing with the kids, for others it may be binging a TV show or watching a movie.
Following his magical third round at Royal Portrush on Saturday night, Rory McIlroy decided on the latter, firing up a movie. Well, not just a movie, but a feature-length film, one that one the Oscar for Best Picture in 2024 - "Oppenheimer".
We know this because, as McIlroy made his way to the range before his final round on Sunday, NBC cameras captured him breaking down the Christopher Nolan-directed epic with his caddie, Harry Diamond. "Did you finish it?" Diamond asked as they made their way over the players bridge. "Did you know, they dropped that atomic bomb on Japan . . ." McIlroy answered.
Aaaaaand scene.
No, seriously. For some reason we'll never be able to explain, NBC cut away before McIlroy was literally about to drop an atomic knowledge bomb. An unforgivable broadcasting error:
How to Spoil Television Gold 101. A true masterclass.
Perhaps McIlroy goes crazy low on Sunday and we get his unfiltered, post-round thoughts on "Oppenheimer." Until then, we'll just have to use our imagination.
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Is it the British Open or the Open Championship? The name of the final men’s major of the golf season is a subject of continued discussion. The event’s official name, as explained in this op-ed by former R&A chairman Ian Pattinson, is the Open Championship. But since many United States golf fans continue to refer to it as the British Open, and search news around the event accordingly, Golf Digest continues to utilize both names in its coverage.
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