‘Technical difficulties’ sideline Zurich TV broadcast

If you were wondering how the duo of Martin Trainer and Chad Ramey appeared atop the final-round leaderboard of the Zurich Classic, well, that’s because you were watching last year’s broadcast.

On Sunday, “technical difficulties” at the Zurich Classic sidelined the broadcast, first in its window on Golf Channel and then as coverage was supposed to flip over to CBS.

Golf Channel’s broadcast cut off with about a half-hour to go in its broadcast window; coverage of the PGA Tour Champions’ Mitsubishi Electric started early. And when CBS’s coverage began, they aired the 2024 final round instead, with the following banner displayed at the bottom.

“DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, YOU’RE WATCHING 2024 FINAL ROUND COVERAGE OF THE ZURICH CLASSIC OF NEW ORLEANS”

The PGA Tour added in a statement that the issue “is currently being addressed.”

Brody Miller of The Athletic reported that the generator at the TV compound went out, leading to the issue.

In what may have been a merciful break for the tournament’s TV coverage — though undoubtedly bad news for the in-person experience — play was suspended during the coverage blackout, at 2:42 p.m. local time, due to bad weather in the area.

Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak began the final round with a three-stroke lead; their lead was still three as of the beginning of the weather delay as they led at 29 under par. Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan III were in solo second at 26 under. The defending champions and pre-tournament favorites, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, were 23 under.

As for that 2024 broadcast? Just in case you’re still watching, we won’t spoil the ending.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.