According to reports from the Associated Press and Golf Digest, NBC Sports has replaced Paul Azinger as its lead golf analyst. The 63-year-old Azinger was caught off guard by NBC’s decision not to renew his contract, with his last event being the Ryder Cup in September and him not being called upon for the upcoming Hero World Challenge.
In a statement, NBC expressed appreciation for Azinger’s work over the past five years, thanking him for his insights, work ethic, and industry relationships. It remains unclear if NBC Sports’ decision to part ways with Azinger is part of a larger overhaul of its golf coverage, with potential changes coming to the Golf Channel brand.
Azinger became NBC Sports’ lead analyst in 2019 following Johnny Miller’s retirement, after previously working as the lead golf analyst for ABC and ESPN from 2006 to 2015. He also joined Fox Sports in 2016 for its USGA championships. In a statement released on Sunday, Azinger expressed gratitude towards the NBC team, acknowledging their talent and support.
As both a player and broadcaster, Azinger has been involved in more than 100 major championships and international team events over the past 40 years. NBC has yet to announce who will replace Azinger in the booth.
