Tension at the U.S. Senior Open: Padraig Harrington and Roger Maltbie Protagonize Discussion
A video showing Padraig Harrington arguing with Roger Maltbie, NBC reporter, during the first round of the U.S. Senior Open has caused a stir. The controversy arose because Maltbie did not help Harrington look for a lost ball.
In the video, captured by a local reporter, Harrington is heard saying to Maltbie: “You never stand around watching someone look for a golf ball on a golf course. You’ve played golf your whole life. You understand that.”
The incident occurred on the 15th hole, when Harrington’s tee shot ended up in a wooded area. After several people searched unsuccessfully for the ball during the allowed three minutes, Harrington returned to the tee for his third shot. Despite the situation, he managed to save a bogey and remained at the top of the leaderboard at the start of the weekend.
Maltbie, a recognized reporter who played on the PGA Tour in the 1970s and 1980s, was in the area at the time. He explained that his job was to report on the situation and he could not step away from his responsibilities to help in the search.
In an interview, Maltbie commented: “I was very close to saying ‘All these years, all these checks I’ve received from NBC, your name isn’t on any of them.”
One day after the incident, Harrington and Maltbie cleared up their differences near the scoring area.
Maltbie is heard asking Harrington: “So should I have disobeyed my producer?”
