NBC's biggest star was following Bryson at the Open — for a surprising reason

Mike Tirico, the lead voice of NBC Sports and a legendary sports broadcaster, took on an unusual role at this year's Open Championship. While most viewers saw him on air Saturday and Sunday, Tirico opted to experience the game from a different perspective on Friday, joining Bryson DeChambeau's group. This decision proved particularly timely, as it was the day DeChambeau received a two-stroke penalty for a controversial shot.

On Friday, during one of his rare off-days from live broadcasting, Tirico was not in his usual commentary booth. Instead, clad in a signature NBC Sports polo, he walked all 18 holes with DeChambeau's group. This allowed him not only to observe one of the tournament's most talked-about players but also to gain unique firsthand insight into the events that became the weekend's main story.

However, the most interesting part is that Tirico wasn't just walking the course as an observer. He took on a role as a member of the production crew, wearing an earpiece and microphone to relay information back to the production truck. His job was to be a "spotter"—someone who tracks players, ball flights, club selections, and other crucial details for the broadcast team.

"You help the people up there in the truck," Tirico explained on Friday. "You call up and say, 'so and so's hitting next, he's hitting his second shot.' You're watching every shot for every player and making sure the broadcast knows the hitting order and what the shot ultimately does."

The spotter role is vital for any golf broadcast, as these individuals help organize the chaos of television production. However, as spotters themselves admit, it's not a position typically occupied by lead sports commentators covering the Super Bowl. It's usually a first job for young professionals, college graduates, which makes Tirico's involvement even more noteworthy.

Why would such a renowned broadcaster take on such a seemingly unglamorous job? The answer is simple: a desire for improvement. "Honestly, I just wanted to learn the job," Tirico said. "If you learn how things work behind the scenes, hopefully it makes you better."

Tirico did not notice anything untoward with DeChambeau's shot on the 5th hole, which later resulted in a two-stroke penalty. At least, not in a way that would be the main focus immediately after DeChambeau's round. According to him, the most memorable shot of the day belonged to Scottie Scheffler on the 17th hole.

"Scottie, three, seventeen," he said, practicing the concise vernacular he had apparently learned that day. "Even though he didn't make the birdies today, that shot was unbelievable."

While it might seem strange to see such a famous sports broadcaster in such an unpretentious setting, it's not actually that unusual. Throughout his long and distinguished career, Tirico has earned a reputation as a tireless worker and a seeker of sports experiences. Those who know him say he collects sports broadcast memories like some people collect art—willing to travel vast distances and go to significant inconvenience for the chance to add another piece to his collection. Sometimes he does it hoping to become better or more dynamic, but most often out of genuine passion for his work.

As it turns out, few doses of marginal professional improvement are worth 18 holes and five hours of grunt work under the baking sun. You have to love it. Tirico does.

"I've covered major championships since 1997, but I've never been inside the ropes for a full round at a major," he said. "Every shot was incredible. Bryson's ball off the face of the club. The sound of that. The energy in the group. It was all really cool."

Tirico noted that he was looking forward to returning to his "real" job when play resumed on Saturday morning at The Open, and for good reason. In less than two days, he will help the NBC Sports team—from broadcasters to spotters—tell the story of the final major of 2026.

But if you wanted to know how he did it? If you wanted to know what it takes to be one of the very, very best?

You just needed to walk Friday at The Open alongside Tirico, where a long journey under the sun culminated in a firsthand vantage point into the tournament's biggest story.

It was a tiny shot of dumb luck, yes. But a much larger dose of good karma.

Mike Tirico has that in spades these days. He's earned it.