Golf fans shocked at who ESPN interviewed while Rory McIlroy was playing second round at the Masters

Golf fans watching The Masters were left surprised after seeing who ESPN interviewed while Rory McIlroy was on course during day two at Augusta.

McIlroy had a nightmare end to his first round on Thursday, carding two double bogeys in the final four holes to end the day on level par and seven shots behind clubhouse leader Justin Rose.

The Northern Irishman, who is looking to win his first major since 2014, was among the leading group up until he found the water at the 15th hole, with his round unravelling from there.

But McIlroy picked himself back and went again on day two - and in emphatic style.

He carded a six-under-par round of 66 on day two at Augusta, putting himself back among the leaders and, crucially, putting him in a great position to finally end his major drought at the weekend.

Roaring into contention. McIlroy eagles No. 13 and is now tied for fourth. #themasters pic.twitter.com/1i65HRkd33

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2025

It was perhaps fortunate that he was one of the first out on the golf course on Friday afternoon instead of watching ESPN's Masters coverage.

Because the television station brought in former tennis world number one and one-time major winner Caroline Wozniacki for a brief interview.

The Dane, who still plays professionally nearly 20 years on from turning professional at the age of 15, was McIlroy's partner between 2011 and 2014.

The pair got engaged in January 2014 but called it off months later, with Wozniacki claiming that McIlroy ended the relationship via phone call.

She married former NBA player David Lee in 2019 and recently announced that the pair are expecting their third child.

She still has connections with numerous high-profile golf figures, with her segment at the Masters likely connected to the fact that she is a commentator on ESPN's tennis coverage.

Still, her segment during the Masters came as a surprise to some.

Taking to Twitter, one viewer said: "Messy for interviewing Caroline Wozniacki while Rory is struggling."

And a second noted: "Rory birdies his last two holes at the same time ESPN is doing him dirty."

A third stated: "Woz[niacki] on ESPN at the Masters? Idk why but I support her."

But a fourth was less happy: "The Caroline Wozniacki interview... show us the golf already!"

Wozniacki wasn't the only non-golfer to be interviewed by ESPN, however, with former One Direction star Niall Horan also making a surprise appearance.

A number of NFL players were also interviewed during the build-up to the Masters coverage.

The organisers of the Masters limit the amount of live coverage that can be shown by broadcasters, with only selected 'featured groups' allowed to be televised ahead of the full broadcast later in the day. In the UK, full coverage of day two only commenced at 8pm.

The model has been increasingly criticised by fans over recent years but has remained in place for this year's event.