With Greg Norman being remembered mostly for his inability to provide useful insight into Dustin Johnson’s three-putt implosion on the final hole of the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, it was hardly shocking to learn that FOX golf had heard enough of the Shark’s keen observations after only a year as Joe Buck’s color guy.
FOX ousts ‘speechless’ Greg Norman from lead golf analyst gig
Greg Norman’s lackluster tenure as lead analyst on FOX golf’s USGA events is over after nine months as rumors fly that Paul Azinger will take the Shark’s spot next to Joe Buck.
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Rumors have it that the 1993 PGA champion and uber-analyst Paul Azinger will take Norman’s place.
Multiple sources reported Sunday night that FOX had relieved Norman of his job as lead analyst for its live telecasts of USGA events. This, after much fanfare accompanied the hiring of Norman some nine months ago.
“We’re really excited to pair Joe Buck, one of the most talented voices in sports television and himself a pretty good golfer, with Greg Norman, one of the game’s best professionals ever,” executives from the sports arm of the network announced in April. “Joe and Greg are sure to bring an informative, entertaining style to the 18th tower, continuing the tradition of talented announcers and analysts who have brought energy and insight to USGA Championship broadcasts.”
The Buck-Norman duo was a train wreck during FOX’s much-maligned broadcast of the U.S. Open. To be fair (and balanced), the network’s atrocious coverage was certainly not all Norman’s fault — though when he wasn’t proclaiming himself “speechless” about a meltdown that only the heartbreak loser of some pretty big events could relate to, he was not ready for prime time, unfamiliar with many players, and mangling the language.
Indeed, the FOX experience was so unpleasant, it had golf enthusiasts longing for the A-Team — including the inspiration for the #ShutUpJohnny hashtag on Twitter.
Greg Norman on Henrik Stenson: "he's not overly long." Huh? He's longer than most guys off the tee with his 3 WOOD.
— Brad Fritsch (@BradFritsch) June 18, 2015 It's amateur hour on Fox. God I miss Hicksie, Johnny and Roger. https://t.co/fGiF1BjMne
— Garry Smits (@gsmitter) June 19, 2015 Things got so bad in the booth during the final round of the Franklin Templeton Shootout in December that FOX installed Brad Faxon as a third talking head to cover up Norman’s shortcomings, according to Golfweek’s Martin Kaufman.
That “speechless” comment, though, was a real fan fave.
How can Norman be speechless? If anyone in the booth can relate to DJ the shark sure can. C'mon Greg tell us what it's like. #USOpen2015
— Mike Brown (@Mike_Brown79) June 22, 2015 Greg Norman is "speechless" after what just happened? Really? If there was any time he could be a valuable resource, now is it. #USOpen2015
— John Parker (@john_parker24) June 22, 2015 Hey, Greg Norman. Given your job, you're not supposed to be speechless. #USOpenChambersBay
— Sean Jensen (@seankjensen) June 22, 2015 Azinger appears to be in line to take Norman’s place alongside Buck, according to Geoff Shackelford, who cited Zinger’s lack of recent tweets, his boffo work with a FOX golf producer and TV guys Mike Tirico and Nick Faldo, as well as his “fresh, fun and smart approach” as ESPN’s lead analyst.
Azinger won’t solve all the problems FOX brought to your TV screen last year but his agreeable voice would certainly elevate the discourse with knowledge and astute analysis.
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