Bryson DeChambeau decision sparks outrage as Masters accused of 'hating on LIV Golf'

The TV coverage of Bryson DeChambeau's second round at The Masters, or lack thereof, sparked outcry from LIV Golf fans on social media, including rap legend Lil Wayne

Rap icon Lil Wayne led the outcry against ESPN after Bryson DeChambeau's sublime second round at The Masters went under the radar on Friday.

The LIV Golf star cemented his place in contention for the Green Jacket at the halfway stage, getting in the clubhouse at seven-under-par for the tournament after a four-under-par 68 at Augusta National.

DeChambeau sits in second place after 36 holes, one shot back from leader Justin Rose. Rory McIlroy and Corey Conners share third place at six-under after a captivating second round.

Reigning U.S. Open champion DeChambeau was not selected for featured groups coverage throughout the first two rounds, meaning fans were unable to watch the majority of his opening 36 holes.

Antiquated TV regulations mean full coverage of the tournament on ESPN does not begin until 2.30 p.m. ET for the opening two rounds, which is after the final group of the day has teed off. And with DeChambeau playing in Friday's early wave, it meant very few of his shots were available to live TV viewers.

Friday's featured groups in the morning were the three-ball of Rose, Max Homa and J.J. Spaun and the trio of Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Aberg and Akshay Bhatia. In the afternoon, viewers could watch every shot played by Collin Morikawa, Joaquin Niemann, Min Woo Lee, Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas and Jose Luis Ballester.

Holes four, five, six, 15 and 16 were selected for featured hole coverage, as well as Amen Corner, made up of holes 11, 12 and 13. DeChambeau's fans could watch him – and the other non-featured players – play those holes live, but for the rest of his round, they had to rely on the Masters app – which offers free access to every shot of every player as individual video clips a minute or two after they are played.

That was not good enough for DeChambeau's supporters, including "Love Me" rapper Lil Wayne, who took to X to blast the tournament for not featuring the two-time major champion more prominently. The 42-year-old claimed the decision was linked to DeChambeau's status as a member of the breakaway LIV league.

"The Masters blew it with this lack of coverage on Bryson," the rapper – whose real name is Dwayne Carter – said. "They gotta stop hatin' on the LIV s---. This man is killin' it out there and I can't watch."

Dozens of viewers echoed "Weezy's" view. "There's a tariff on LIV golfer coverage and it's destroying the fan experience," one X user said in response to his post.

A second person added: "Damn right. Saying what everyone else watching was thinking all day," while a third said: "I agree. No love for LIV players with featured group coverage. I don’t think they’ve even mentioned former Masters winner Patrick Reed by name. But they did do a great one-on-one piece with Bryson at least."

DeChambeau will play alongside Rose in the final group on Saturday at 2:40 p.m. ET, with full coverage of his round on CBS.