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Smylie Kaufman Drops an F-Bomb on British Open Broadcast and Owns It

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Rachel Dillin | Last updated Jul 19, 2025 5:59 PM ET

Smylie Kaufman learned a hard broadcasting lesson at the British Open on Friday: Always assume the mic is live.

The former PGA Tour winner-turned-NBC Sports reporter was on duty during Round 2 at Royal Portrush when an awkward technical glitch led to an unexpected NSFW moment on air.

While setting up a report on the 14th hole, Kaufman started his usual on-course commentary when a sudden audio issue popped in his headset. Apparently thinking his mic was cut, Kaufman muttered, “What the f—,” loud enough for the world to hear.

Viewers were quick to notice, and NBC’s Mike Tirico jumped in moments later with an on-air apology, chalking it up to technical issues. Tirico explained that broadcasting from overseas sometimes messes with headset connections, and in this case, led to an expletive making it into homes everywhere.

Hey yall! I made a double bogey at 15 today with a bizarre audio situation. Sorry about that as I clearly didn’t know I was on air ! Apologies and a lesson learned! pic.twitter.com/psCDnZfR2m
— Smylie Kaufman (@SmylieKaufman10) July 18, 2025

Kaufman didn’t duck the mistake. After his shift ended, the 33-year-old took to social media with a straightforward apology. “Well, I guess there’s a first for everything,” Kaufman wrote. He explained that the pop in his ear usually meant his mic was dead, adding, “Clearly it wasn’t.” He apologized to his team, the network, and fans, promising it wouldn’t happen again.

It was the kind of authentic response you’d expect from Kaufman, who’s been known for his humor and honesty since his days on tour. The former LSU standout turned broadcaster has brought an everyman quality to his reporting, and Friday’s mic mishap just added to his relatability.

While it wasn’t the kind of British Open highlight Kaufman, or NBC, planned, it served as a reminder to anyone with on-air aspirations: the mic is always hot. And in a sport known for its prim-and-proper traditions, a little human moment like this probably resonated more than anyone expected.

As for Kaufman, he’s staying focused on the weekend’s coverage and likely double-checking his headset before every segment.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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