Saturday was supposed to be an exciting day of golf at the Spanish Open, and it was, but for some other reasons. Sky Sports Golf analyst Mark Roe has found himself at the center of backlash following his commentary during the DP World Tour’s Spanish Open broadcast. Fans accused the former European Tour player of repeatedly taking digs at LIV Golf, but without directly naming it.

Mark Roe is an English professional golfer and golf analyst for Sky Sports. He had a 21-year career on the European Tour from 1985 to 2006, playing in over 500 events and winning three tournaments, including the 1989 Massimo Dutti Catalan Open, the 1992 Trophée Lancôme, and the 1994 Peugeot Open de France. He achieved a career-high world ranking of 40 and was known for his practical jokes and character on tour.

Thanks to his wit, Roe transitioned from professional golf to being a commentator after his retirement in 2006. Currently, he works as a golf analyst and commentator for Sky Sports, the official broadcast partner across most of Europe and New Zealand.

Many LIV Golf athletes are competing at the 2025 Spanish Open. Some of the prominent names include Sergio Gracia, Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed, and Tom McKibbin. During the commentary, Roe was heard taking jabs at LIV Golf and some of these players, especially Tom McKibbin. He didn’t actually use the league’s name, but it was simply very clear to fans where he was headed with the comments. And fans didn’t like it.

Fans slash Mark Roe for jabs at LIV Golf and its players

LIV Golf’s inception has created a kind of divide in the golf community. Some golfers supported it, while others criticized it. But when it comes out of context, fans are quick to voice their frustration. Many enthusiasts took to X to share their takes on Mark Roe’s commentary.

One viewer didn’t even know who was doing the commentary, but still criticized the practice of trying to put LIV Golf and its players in a negative light. He wrote, “I don’t know who this analyst is on the @DPWorldTour broadcast that keeps taking shots at LIV without mentioning it by name, but he’s definitely one for the reeducation camp! Get him outta here!!!”

One fan took a jab at Mark’s commentary accuracy. “Mark Roe’s commentary is just embarrassing today – @SkySportsGolf customers pay for this and saying he’s not seen Tom McKibbin play much this season (as he plays his 25th tournament of the year) is just lazy.” Another fan echoed similar feelings and wrote, “Also just said this about Tom McKibbin ‘good to see him play well, it’s nice to see him playing again, it’s been a while'”

Tom has been a regular at the DP World Tour events and has been on the field for many tournaments this season. Some events he played in include the Nedbank Golf Challenge, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the Ras al Khaimah Championship, and the Porsche Singapore Classic.

Some other fans also criticized Roe’s research skills. “Him and Laura Davies are clueless on today’s players. Research your job or fuck off,” said one fan. The reaction is basically referring again to Mark saying that Tom McKibbin hasn’t played much.

It is possible that Mark might not have watched Tim play in LIV Golf events. But the 2023 Porsche European Open winner has played in many DP World Tour events, too. In fact, he was tied at 3 at the Porsche Singapore Classic and tied at 6 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. As a golf commentator and analyst, Roe should have seen him at these DP World Tour events. However, his talks didn’t seem like that, which is why fans have even commented about his job.

Writing about how he might have got his job, one fan wrote, “A man only known for DQ at the British Open because he can’t do simple math. The peter principle in full effect.” The Peter Principle suggests that employees are promoted as a reward for their competence since strong performance is visible and acknowledged. However, once someone rises to a role where they lack the necessary skills, their performance is no longer judged by measurable results.

The uproar surrounding Mark Roe’s Spanish Open commentary highlights the sensitivity surrounding the conversation about LIV Golf. Every word about the breakaway league is still weighed, dissected, and debated by fans who are deeply divided over its place in the sport.