Greg Norman out as lead golf analyst for Fox Sports
It’s one and done for Greg Norman at Fox Sports.
The network confirmed Monday reports, including first by Links Magazine, that the two-time major winner would not return as its lead golf analyst in 2016.
Norman was picked to join Fox Sports’ lead play-by-play man, Joe Buck, in the 18th tower as the network embarked last year on a 12-year deal with the USGA to broadcast its championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well its major amateur championships.
The Great White Shark prepared for the role by serving as the network’s analyst for Fox Sports 1’s coverage of the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in June, then stepping into the booth with Buck that December to air the Franklin Templeton Shootout, his two-man off-season event played in Florida.
When Norman debuted in ’15 for USGA telecasts, however, Norman seemed timid and unprepared. He didn’t demonstrate a depth of knowledge about the players beyond those from his native Australia and showed an unwillingness to share his opinions and experiences in major-championship situations. After Dustin Johnson three-putted the 72nd hole of the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay to give the title to Jordan Spieth, Norman was almost speechless, offering a bumbling assessment in a situation that seemed ripe for Norman’s heartbreaking experiences in the majors.
In December 2015, the network again aired the Shark Shootout with Norman in the booth. For the final round, Fox lead producer Mark Loomis inserted former PGA Tour player Brad Faxon in the 18th tower for a three-man booth, hoping to spark Norman. It didn’t work.
Norman’s replacement isn’t apparent. It could be someone alread on the Fox talent roster, like Faxon, or the network could make a play for 2008 Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger, who has been an outspoken, in-depth voice inside the booth for ABC and ESPN. With Disney losing the rights to the British Open to NBC Sports Group, ESPN now only airs the Masters, which may not be enough of a golf slate for Azinger to continue on with the sports broadcasting giant.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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