NBC commentator Smylie Kaufman has apologised for dropping the F-bomb during live coverage of The Open Championship.The former PGA Tour pro, reporting from Royal Portrush on Friday, was watching as Jon Rahm lined up a birdie putt on the 14th.Kaufman was caught on a hot mic in an embarrassing moment at The OpenGetty“I can understand why this is one of the more difficult holes today, this hole location…” Kaufman said, as the final major of the year was broadcast on the USA Network.He then paused for a few seconds, before being caught on a hot mic.“What the f***,” Kaufman was heard saying, moments before Rahm took his swing.Mike Tirico, who has served as NBC’s lead host for golf coverage since 2016, then apologized for the comment a few minutes later.“Earlier, we had some technical issues with our microphones,” he told viewers.“When you come over here, our on-course reporter, sometimes the headsets don’t work the same way they do back home.“Because of that, it led to some language getting through on the air that shouldn’t have gotten through.“So we just want to take the time to apologize for that comment getting through back home.”After the second round of The Open concluded on Friday, Kaufman also addressed the incident in a video on social media, and offered a personal apology too.“Welp, I guess there’s a first for everything,” he told his followers.Kaufman was caught swearing as Rahm lined up a putt on the 14th holeGetty“First off, I want to apologize for the audio blunder that happened today, to me on the (14th) hole.“I heard a pop in my ear — went radio-silent — which signals typically for me that my mic is down, and clearly it wasn’t.“So I want to apologize for what happened to the team, those listening.“Of course, gonna move past this one, it definitely will not happen again and I look forward to a great weekend. “Sorry guys.”Kaufman, 33, last started on the PGA Tour in 2022.Kaufman is a former PGA Tour pro who has turned to the world of broadcastingGettyHe was once one of golf’s most exciting young prospects, who played in the final group of the 2016 Masters, but injuries and heartache lead to the Alabama native switching career paths.Now, Kaufman is a prominent voice in the broadcasting world — even if he did drop a rogue F-bomb at The Open.And he’s not the only person who had a moment to forget at Royal Portrush, with NBC colleagues taking cover as a bat invaded the broadcast booth on day two. “I still love being on a golf course,” Kaufman said of his transition away from playing golf, back in 2023. “I love being with so many of the guys I played with on the Tour. I really did miss those guys.“I’m on a different journey now.”talkSPORT 2 will have live commentary of The 153rd Open from Royal Portrush this week. Download the talkSPORT app to listen live to our coverage of the major action.