Report: Former Ryder Cup captain lined up to replace Paul Azinger at NBC
According to a report by The Irish Independent, Paul McGinley is being lined up to replace Paul Azinger as lead golf analyst for NBC.
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley is reportedly being lined up to replace Paul Azinger as NBC's lead analyst.
Azinger's contract with the broadcasting company wasn't renewed much to the American's surprise.
The 63-year-old said he was supposed to cover Tiger Woods' PGA Tour return next week in Albany.
As it turns out the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy was the last event Azinger covered for NBC.
His removal from the position is thought to be part of a wider overhaul of NBC's golf coverage.
He joined NBC in 2019 following Johnny Miller's retirement. That was off the back of being lead golf analyst for ABC from 2006-2015.
Azinger has never been shy of voicing what some consider controversial opinions.
He previously called for Brooks Koepka to relinquish his spot on the 2021 Ryder Cup side after the American raised eyebrows with some comments about how he viewed the biennial contest.
Koepka described the week as 'hectic and odd' but later stressed he was just trying to illustrate that Ryder Cups are just 'different'.
Azinger also referred to the European Tour as 'that Tour' in March 2020, prompting outrage from the likes of Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.
The Irish Independent have reported McGinley will work alongside Dan Hicks and Curt Bryum at the Hero World Challenge next week.
Woods, 47, will play competitively for the first time since hobbling out of the 47th Masters.
As for McGinley, his 'Live At' section alongside Rich Lerner and Brandel Chamblee have proven to be hugely popular segments.
McGinley, some suggest, is a worthy counterpart for Chamblee who is also known for being strongly opinionated.
It is understood the 56-year-old Irishman will cover multiple PGA Tour events for NBC before a decision is made.
Paul McGinley and Jamie Weir give their thoughts on Rory McIlroy's decision to resign from his player director role on PGA Tour policy board pic.twitter.com/xs9EgA13bE
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) November 15, 2023
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