Who should replace Paul Azinger at NBC?

Each week we ask our panel of writers, PGA members and golf industry experts to weigh in with their views on the hot topics of the day.

Paul Azinger is out at NBC as their lead golf analyst. What are your thoughts on Azinger’s job performance and who do you think should replace him?

Jim Deeks, Fairways Magazine (@jimdeeks): I think this is a real shame.  I thought Azinger was thoughtful, interesting, knowledgeable, and had guts.  Not to mention, credibility as one of the better players of his generation.  No one springs to my mind as a worthy candidate, but I would hope that person would be far better than Trevor Immelman on CBS.  But who knows?  Maybe it’ll be Tiger.  (But please Lord, don’t let it be Lanny Wadkins.)

Craig Loughry, Golf Ontario (@craigloughry): Azinger sure isn’t getting a lot of love with the news of his departure. He was never my cup of tea, but he wasn’t completely horrible on the mic, he did provide some relevant comments periodically. I’m not going to bash him, its not an easy gig most of the time providing entertaining/relevant comments when there’s not much happening on course, it can be difficult. He did repeat himself a little too often, told the same story about the same guy/course, etc.

Michael Schurman, Master Professional / Hall of Fame Member, PGA of Canada: Azinger is a bit of an enigma for me. On one hand, he is incredibly knowledgeable and experienced. On the other, he is too ‘pro-player’. Guys hit shots 40 and 50 feet from the hole and Azinger calls that good. As to a replacement, I like Faxon and Bob Ford. I don’t like players with a UK accent unless they bring something special. Tom Watson might be too old to do all the travelling but he’s very good and I like Mark O’ Mara. I sure miss John and Roger.

TJ Rule, Golf Away Tours (@GolfAwayTJ): I was never a big Zinger fan but at the same time didn’t see him being as bad as many saw.  That being said, I won’t be sad that he’s gone.  It’s hard to think of who would be a good replacement because I feel it should be someone new but who knows how good a former player is going to be behind the mic.  I do like what Smylie Kaufman brings to the table and maybe he’ll get a chance.  Is Brandel too polarizing to take on that role?  Then again, maybe that’s what NBC needs.

Peter Mumford, Fairways Magazine (@FairwaysMag): Mixed emotions about Azinger. At times he was insightful and showed a willingness to be critical when it was called for but too often he relied on ridiculous superlatives and annoying US patronizing. I see many in the media are calling for Brandel Chamblee as a replacement, but I think that would be a mistake. Chamblee is an excellent studio analyst but play by play doesn’t allow time for him to build his well-researched arguments, Paul McGinley, Brad Faxon and Curt Byrum are all very good but don’t have a major on their records, something that seems to be a prerequisite these days. Doesn’t bother me. McGinley would be my choice.

Last week Rory McIlroy resigned his seat on the PGA Tour board with another year to serve. Since the advent of LIV Golf, McIlroy has been an ardent supporter of the PGA Tour and was critical of LIV and the players who left to join. In June, during Canadian Open week, Rory was left hanging when Commissioner Jay Monahan did an about face and announced a framework deal with the Saudis. Since then, Rory has been publicly critical of fellow board member Patrick Cantlay, had an altercation during the Ryder Cup with American caddie Joe LaCava and become heavily involved in the new TGL. In his resignation announcement, he suggested with all he has on his plate, something had to give. How do you view Rory’s resignation, and does it have any broader implications for other members of the PGA Tour?

Deeks: All the reasons he mentioned for leaving are valid.  But I also suspect that Rory gave it up because he didn’t feel he was part of a cohesive unit, was a bit of an odd man out, and (maybe) because he doesn’t have complete trust in Jay Monahan.  I admire his conviction and decision.  The state of men’s professional golf is in flux, who needs the aggro?  Rory is a superstar, let’s let him continue to do what he does best: strike a golf ball.  As for broader implications, I’m not sure what they would be.

Loughry: This Rory move is big news. He won’t come out and say it, but I believe it has broader implications. He wants to distance himself from what’s coming and to also send a clear statement to the current leadership of the Tour and to LIV. That leadership let Rory down. Good for Rory though, just get back to concentrating on his golf. His off-course venture(s) will be all his, not connected to either Tour and no doubt takes a piece of the corporate pie (now or later) that would otherwise might go to the Tour. Get your popcorn everyone!

Schurman: I don’t know how players find the time to serve on the Board. Rory’s term couldn’t possibly have been more difficult. The politics for a full-time paid employee would be enough. Add in trying to be the best player in our era, a young family and his other interests and I’m surprised he doesn’t putt like he has a bullwhip in his hands. He has been amazing. However, others might see how great the demand is and make a quick turn if asked.

Rule: It’s about time was my first thought.  He has flown the PGA Tour flag proudly and taken a hit in the public’s eye as a result.  Given everything he’s got going on in his life, not to mention being a father, I can understand him stepping down.  He’s still the face of the Tour in my mind and will still have an impact on how things proceed moving forward.

Mumford: He should have resigned about thirty seconds after Monahan hung him out to dry. Perhaps he’s seeing something else he doesn’t like. I think it would be very exciting if he just stuck his head in the sand and reeled off a bunch of majors over the next five years. Time for his record to catch up with his talent.

On Sunday, Swedish rookie Ludvig Aberg captured the RSM Classic after shooting 61-61 for the weekend. Six months ago, he was still in university, two months ago he played for Europe on the victorious Ryder Cup team and now he has his first PGA Tour win. What’s your take on Aberg and his upside on the PGA Tour?

Deeks: Golly, how many times have we discussed the latest Hot Young Player, and considered his/her possible domination going forward?  Good for Ludvig, but two amazing rounds and a good last few weeks do not a superstar career make.  Ask us again a year from now and see if we remember his name.  (I don’t mean that as cynically as it sounds, but honestly, it seems there’s a new HYP every six months.  Does anyone remember Forrest Fezler?  He had a pretty good year in 1976, as I recall.)

Loughry: Well, Aberg is the real deal, no doubt about it. Tad early to say he’s the next coming of Tiger though. But he’s certainly talented, well-rounded game with little weakness. Seems like he’ll be a top 15 player in no time.

Schurman: With the first swing I saw him make in the Ryder Cup, I loved this guy. Big, strong, calm and actually moves his feet correctly. There are only about a dozen players on tour who duplicate his footwork, and everyone is a superior ball striker. And he seems to be able to have good things happen to him at key moments. This is going to be big time!

Rule: When I attended the Thursday of the RBC Canadian Open this year, I had heard about this new pro playing in his first pro tourney.  So I followed him for a bit and was immediately impressed.  He has all the tools to be a superstar, as evidenced by the fact he’s won on both the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour in his first 6 months as a pro.  He’s the real deal, he just has to make sure he handles the fame well at such a young age and stays motivated.  It’ll be fun to watch, I really hope he returns to Canada next summer!

Mumford: Aberg may be the most anticipated kid to come along since Tiger and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a perennial superstar. The same day Aberg won the RSM, 22-year-old Nicolai Hojgaard won the DP World Tour Championship. We may be looking at the nucleus of an invincible European Ryder Cup team for years to come.

The Round Table
The Round Table is a panel of golf writers, PGA members and industry experts.

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